Dire Wolf Cloning Sparks $13.6M Surge in Solana Meme Coin as Colossal Unveils Gene-Edited Pups
Colossal used DNA extracted from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull to identify key differences between dire wolves and their closest living relative, the gray wolf. Scientists edited the gray wolf's DNA to resemble that of the extinct species and then inserted the modified cells into gray wolf ova. These were implanted into domestic dog surrogates, resulting in the birth of two pups: Remus and Romulus. A third, named Khaleesi, followed months later. Though only a few months old, the pups have already begun exhibiting wild behavior, such as howling and stalking. Remus, now four feet long and 80 lbs, is expected to grow to six feet and 150 lbs.
These animals will not be allowed to breed and will live on a 2,000-acre plot secured by a 10-foot-high fence and monitored by drones. The internet responded quickly, with Elon Musk and Joe Rogan posting about the announcement. However, not everyone is convinced. Zoologist Philip Seddon of the University of Otago told the BBC that the animals should be regarded as "genetically modified grey wolves" rather than true dire wolves.
The sudden excitement around the project spilled into the crypto market. The REMUS token, initially inactive for five hours, surged over 5665% within hours of launch. A trader turned $1,000 into $108,700. The coin saw a 24-hour trading volume of $39.58 million before falling 32.89% from its all-time high of $0.01366. Other coins themed after the cloned pups, including Romulus and Khaleesi, were also created, peaking at $2.11 million and $786,000 in market cap, respectively, with price jumps of over 50% and 236%.
Colossal, founded in 2021 by Ben Lamm and George Church, previously raised over $200 million in a Series C funding round led by TWG Global, with investors including Winklevoss Capital, Breyer Capital, and Animoca Brands. Earlier this year, the company used woolly mammoth DNA to create a "woolly mouse," which also led to a meme coin that briefly reached a $3.3 million valuation. Future targets for 'de-extinction' include the dodo, Tasmanian tiger, and woolly mammoth.
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Yahoo
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
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World-Leading Developmental Biologist Andrew Pask, Ph.D Joins Colossal Full-time as Chief Biology Officer
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"This is an extraordinary opportunity to help shape the future of de-extinction and species preservation science," said Andrew Pask, Ph.D. "Colossal is bringing together the brightest minds, the boldest ideas, and the most powerful tools in biotechnology. I'm thrilled to help lead this team at the forefront of de-extinction research, not just to bring back lost species, but to apply those technologies in real-time to save those still with us." Pask's work has redefined how scientists understand and protect Australia's unique and endangered fauna. He has received international acclaim for his contributions to marsupial biology, including understanding their evolution and adaptation, and is one of the pioneers of de-extinction technologies. With more than two decades of experience in developmental biology, he is at the forefront of advancements in marsupial assisted reproductive technology, stem cell biology, and advanced embryology techniques. Pask's appointment as Chief Biology Officer brings this suite of expertise to all Colossal's de-extinction and conservation projects and underscores commitment to translational science that bridges academic research and real-world impact. "Andrew has been a foundational voice in the science of de-extinction," said Ben Lamm, Co-Founder and CEO of Colossal. "His deep scientific insight, bold vision, and passion for conservation are embedded in Colossal's DNA. We are thrilled to welcome him to this role. This is a strategic time for Colossal as we broaden our activities and collaborations in Oceania. Australia's incredible biodiversity offers unique opportunities for innovation in de-extinction and biological research. Having a presence there will help Colossal achieve our goals of de-extincting the thylacine and working to restore and protect endangered species on the continent." Pask's scientific excellence, leadership, and high-impact research has earned him consecutive highly competitive fellowships and awards throughout his career. In Australia, Pask received prestigious National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowships, the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship, and the University of Melbourne's flagship R@MAP Fellowship. Pask is also an Emerging Researcher Award recipient in the U.S., a Fellow of the Society for Reproductive Biology, and winner of the University of Melbourne's top two research awards. Pask brings to Colossal a track record of innovation, collaboration, and mentorship that will help the scientific team reach audacious goals. "Andrew's pioneering work in marsupial biology has already been accelerating our thylacine de-extinction program" said Dr. Beth Shapiro, Chief Science Officer at Colossal. "He brings an unmatched understanding of the biological systems that we're working to restore, as well as the creativity necessary to drive real-world impact while solving some of the hardest problems in biology today." Pask's appointment comes at a pivotal moment in Colossal's growth, as the company expands its de-extinction and conservation pipelines across continents, ecosystems, and species. His leadership will help ensure that Colossal's science remains bold and biologically grounded, redefining what's possible for biodiversity today and into the future. "Andrew's innovative and rigorous approach to developmental biology has transformed the scientific landscape around marsupials and inspired new possibilities for synthetic biology," said Professor George Church, Co-Founder of Colossal. "His leadership and experiences are paramount for Colossal's de-extinction pipeline and developmental biology needs." Colossal Australia will focus on research initiatives targeting native Australian species, with a mission to bring back extinct animals including the thylacine and to help restore ecological balance. Australia is the ideal host country for this extension of Colossal Biosciences, as it is both an epicenter of biodiversity loss -- with the highest rate of mammal extinctions in the world and a leader in applying cutting-edge conservation science with a goal end species and population extinction as the effects of climate change and urbanization increasingly threaten native species. ABOUT COLOSSAL Colossal was founded by emerging technology and software entrepreneur Ben Lamm and world-renowned geneticist and serial biotech entrepreneur George Church, Ph.D., and is the first to apply CRISPR technology for the purposes of species de-extinction. Colossal creates innovative technologies for species restoration, critically endangered species protection and the repopulation of critical ecosystems that support the continuation of life on Earth. Colossal is accepting humanity's duty to restore Earth to a healthier state, while also solving for the future economies and biological necessities of the human condition through cutting-edge science and technologies. To follow along, please visit: WEBSITE & SOCIALS Websites: Instagram: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Facebook: TikTok: BlueSky: View source version on Contacts COLOSSAL PRESS CONTACTS:Emily@ Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
