Dire Wolf Revived After Going Extinct 12,000 Years Ago, Biotech Company Claims
Scientists from the Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences have brought three dire wolf pups into the world, reviving a species that went extinct over 12,000 years ago. CNN reported that they used ancient DNA, gene-editing technology, and cloning to bring about the 'de-extinction' of the Dire wolf. The species reportedly once roamed the North American ranges and were larger than gray wolves, with a 'wider head, thicker fur, and stronger jaw.'
Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences recently claimed that they have revived the once-extinct Dire wolf. According to CNN, the company claimed that the species will exist again as the 'world's first successfully de-extincted animal.' Ben Lamm, Colossal's cofounder and CEO, said in a statement that the scientists used DNA from 'a 13,000 year old tooth and a 72,000 year old skull' to bring Dire wolf puppies into existence.
Colossal's scientists revealed that they used ancient and preserved DNA from two aforementioned Dire wolf fossils to successfully decipher the 'Aenocyon dirus' or Dire Wolf genomes. They then compared these genomes to those of wolves, foxes, and jackals to identify genetic variants for traits that are specific to the de-extincted creature.
Using this information, the scientists altered and rewrote the genetic code of the gray wolf and made several edits in the 14 collected genes before transferring the cells into donor eggs. As per TIME, the professionals reportedly used domestic dogs, especially mixed-breed canines, as surrogate mothers to give birth to Romulus, Remus, and their 2-month-old sister, Khaleesi. Colossal Biosciences revealed that the two male Dire wolf pups arrived on October 1, 2024, while their baby sister was born on January 30.
Ben Lamm further said in the statement, 'This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works.' According to CNN's report, the three Dire wolves are now living on an undisclosed 2,000-acre site. A 3-metre-tall 'zoo grade' fencing encloses the area, supervised by security personnel and drones.
The post Dire Wolf Revived After Going Extinct 12,000 Years Ago, Biotech Company Claims appeared first on DogTime.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medscape
15 minutes ago
- Medscape
Family Ties May Shape Hashimoto Thyroiditis Risk
The odds of developing Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) were significantly elevated in first-, second-, and third-degree relatives of patients with HT, with female relatives having a disproportionately higher likelihood. Of note, the odds of developing HT were elevated among spouses of patients. METHODOLOGY: Relatives of patients with HT are at an increased risk for HT; however, studies have primarily focused on first-degree relatives and often employed very small sample sizes. Researchers conducted a retrospective case-control study using genealogical and medical data from a Utah-based database (1996-2021) to estimate the risk for HT in relatives across various degrees of relatedness. They included 92,405 adult HT probands (73% women; 96% White individuals) and 184,810 matched control individuals, along with 2,960,650 first-, second-, and third-degree relatives of HT probands and 5,730,159 relatives of control individuals. TAKEAWAY: Relatives of patients with HT were at an increased risk for the condition, with the highest odds observed for first-degree relatives (odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% CI, 1.74-1.80), followed by second-degree (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.22-1.27) and third-degree (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.10-1.12) relatives. The risk for HT was an additional 2.2- to 2.6-fold higher in female relatives of patients with HT than overall estimates, across all degrees of relatedness. Among first-degree relatives, sons of men with HT had a markedly elevated risk for HT (OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 2.10-2.65). Wives of men with HT and husbands of women with HT were at an increased likelihood of developing HT, suggesting the effect of a shared environment. IN PRACTICE: 'These findings also have clinical implications, as understanding familial clustering of HT can help healthcare providers identify individuals at higher risk, especially those with affected FDRs [first-degree relatives]. This knowledge could lead to earlier monitoring and intervention, improving disease management,' the authors of the study wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Melissa Bujnis, PhD, Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. It was published online in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism . LIMITATIONS: Reliance on diagnostic codes may have introduced misclassification bias, particularly in cases of transient hypothyroidism or misdiagnosed HT. Variations in diagnostic practices across clinics may have introduced heterogeneity in the sample. Individuals with a family history of HT might be more likely to receive diagnosis or seek medical attention, potentially introducing ascertainment bias. DISCLOSURES: Partial support for the datasets in the database was provided by the University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH). This study received support from NIH, NCRR, and Utah Department of Health and Human Services and the University of Utah. The authors reported no relevant conflicts of interest.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Rare deep-sea squid filmed alive for first time
Scientists have captured the first-ever footage of the elusive Gonatus antarcticus squid alive in its deep-sea habitat. CNN's Jeremy Roth describes the rare encounter.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Florida Tech, Patrick Space Force Base partner to offer master's degrees for military personnel
Coming full-circle in a sense, the Florida Institute of Technology will start offering master's degree programs this fall behind the gates at Patrick Space Force Base for military and civilian personnel. "We were founded in the same year as NASA: 1958. And our original mission was to serve as a night school for missilemen, as the Cape Canaveral technicians needed master's degrees in the early days of the Space Race," Florida Tech President John Nicklow said. "Scientists and engineers came together in that year to launch that very important work. The mission soon evolved to encompass military service members. And as Kennedy Space Center grew, and Patrick grew and evolved, so did Florida Tech," Nicklow said. Florida Tech: Virgin Galactic spaceflight chief encourages Florida Tech grads as company builds new rocket plane Nicklow spoke during a June 10 ribbon-cutting ceremony at Patrick's Education and Training Center, where the Melbourne-based university has set up classrooms and support facilities. The four degree programs: Master of Science in acquisition and contract management, Master of Science in space systems, Master of Science in space systems management, and Master of Business Administration. "All incredible things, as you look at Patrick Space Force Base and the unique professionals that we have here, being able to continue their educational experience to further build on their repertoire, their skill set," said U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Bulson, Space Launch Delta 45 deputy commander. "Whether it's within the Department of Defense, or coming back to the local community when they're done with their service," Bulson said. Nicklow and Bulson plan to expand Florida Tech's offerings in the future, based on need and demand. Student enrollment projections remain in "the discovery phase," they said. Florida Tech's institutional accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, is expected to approve the Patrick instructional site this summer. The Melbourne university's faculty members and instructors will commute to the beachside Space Force base and teach eight-week classes in hybrid (in-person and online) fashion. Don Platt, associate professor of space systems and director of Florida Tech's Spaceport Education Center in Titusville, will oversee operations. During a December FLORIDA TODAY interview, Nicklow and Space Force Maj. Gen. Timothy Sejba said the university and STARCOM — or Space Training and Readiness Command headquarters — were exploring an educational partnership. STARCOM is in the process of moving from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs to Patrick, eventually bringing more than 450 military and civilian personnel to Florida's Space Coast. The St. Johns River Water Management District has issued a stormwater management system permit for two future modular buildings for STARCOM personnel on base. Brevard Engineering College — today's Florida Tech — hosted its first classes on Sept. 22, 1958, inside three rented classrooms at Eau Gallie Jr. High School. That building is now West Shore Jr./Sr. High. The university earned the NASA-themed nicknames "Missileman U" and "Countdown College" during its formative years. Five Florida Tech graduates became NASA space shuttle astronauts: Suni Williams, Joan Higginbotham, Kathryn Hire, George Zamka and Frederick Sturckow. Another alumnae, Ann Dunwoody, became America's first female four-star general in the U.S. Army. "I really appreciate the words on the history of the university. It's really amazing to continue that legacy in a different way," Bulson told Nicklow during a tour of Florida Tech's new educational space. "You know, it feels like we're getting back to our roots in some way by doing this. It's a little bit different, but it's who we are," Nicklow replied. For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter. Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@ Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 'Missileman U' Florida Tech to offer degrees at Patrick Space Force Base
