In a landmark scientific achievement, biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences has brought the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) back from extinction—marking the world’s first successful de-extinction of a species that vanished over 10,000 years ago.
This revolutionary feat combines ancient DNA analysis, CRISPR gene editing, and innovative cloning—and it could change the future of conservation forever.
DNA Recovered from Ancient Fossils
Unlike fossil samples from the La Brea Tar Pits—which suffer from asphalt-related DNA degradation—Colossal sourced its genetic material from two remarkably well-preserved fossils:
- A 13,000-year-old tooth from Ohio
- A 72,000-year-old skull from Idaho
Using cutting-edge techniques, scientists achieved 12.8-fold genomic coverage, generating over 70x more data than prior studies. This comprehensive mapping revealed that dire wolves shared 99.5% DNA with gray wolves but diverged evolutionarily over 5.7 million years ago, making them genetically distinct despite physical similarities.
CRISPR Gene Editing: Reconstructing the Beast
By comparing dire wolf DNA to modern gray wolves, researchers isolated 20 critical genetic variants across 14 genes responsible for the dire wolf’s unique features:
- Larger size and muscular frame (via the LCORL gene)
- White coat color (using MC1R and MFSD12, avoiding pigmentation-linked blindness)
These edits were carefully selected to recreate the dire wolf’s defining traits without introducing health issues.
A New Era of Cloning: Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs)
In a cloning breakthrough, Colossal used endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)—extracted from gray wolf blood—as a less invasive and more precise genetic editing medium. These EPCs were:
- Edited using CRISPR to insert dire wolf-specific genetic sequences
- Implanted into enucleated gray wolf eggs
- Transferred into domestic dog surrogates
The result? Three live and healthy dire wolf pups:
- Romulus
- Remus
- Khaleesi
To ensure genetic purity, the team analyzed over two dozen gray wolf genomes, choosing those with minimal domestic dog ancestry to serve as clean templates.
Why It Matters: The Future of De-Extinction and Conservation
Colossal’s success is a pivotal moment in synthetic biology and ecological restoration. It proves that de-extinction is no longer science fiction—and it opens the door to reviving other extinct species and bolstering endangered populations with precision genetic tools.
As Colossal CEO Ben Lamm put it:
“The dire wolf’s return is just the beginning.”
What’s Next?
With this successful de-extinction, Colossal is expected to advance other ambitious projects, including reviving the woolly mammoth and Tasmanian tiger, and applying its technologies to protect endangered species like the northern white rhino.
