Unlocking the "Gateway to Resurrecting Prehistoric Creatures": 12,500-Year-Extinct Dire Wolves Brought Back to Life
Release time:
2025-04-11
When the majestic dire wolves from *Game of Thrones* leap from fiction into reality, a "species resurrection revolution" driven by genetic technology is advancing at unprecedented speed. U.S. biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences recently announced the successful revival of the dire wolf (*Canis dirus*), extinct for approximately 12,500 years, using breakthrough gene-editing and cloning techniques. The birth of three dire wolf cubs marks a critical milestone in humanity’s "de-extinction" efforts.
Reviving the "Ice Age Apex Predator" with Millennia-Old DNA
Colossal Biosciences’ scientists extracted DNA from a 13,000-year-old dire wolf tooth and a remarkably preserved 72,000-year-old dire wolf skull. Utilizing ultra-low-temperature nano-extraction technology, they obtained a 92% complete dire wolf genome—a first in scientific history. Through advanced CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, ancient DNA fragments were integrated into modern gray wolf oocytes. After 217 embryo transfer attempts and a complex genetic modification and cloning process, three healthy cubs were successfully born via surrogate mothers.
The Permafrost "Vault of Life"
Beyond dire wolves, the company has cultivated pluripotent stem cells for woolly mammoths using DNA fragments from Siberian permafrost-preserved remains. Their goal is to birth a mammoth-elephant hybrid via Asian elephant surrogates by 2028.
Other breakthroughs include:
- Russian researchers led by Anastasia Shatilovich at the RAS Institute of Soil Science revived 46,000-year-old nematodes from Siberian permafrost; these tardigrades resumed metabolism and reproduced after thawing.
- A joint team from Japan’s RIKEN Institute and Russia’s North-Eastern Federal University is reconstructing genes from a preserved woolly rhinoceros calf found in Yakutia’s permafrost.
In an interview, Colossal CEO Ben Lamm stated, “We prioritize species driven to extinction by human activity and whose ecological niches remain vacant.” The company has partnered with governments in Alaska and Siberia to establish a 1,600-square-kilometer prehistoric species ecological reserve. Their "de-extinction wishlist" also includes the dodo bird and the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger).
These advancements demonstrate the feasibility of gene-editing and cloning in resurrecting extinct species, attracting increased funding and scientific collaboration. This progress elevates genetic technology’s potential in biodiversity conservation, biopharmaceuticals, and beyond, heralding a new era of ecological restoration and innovation.
Latest developments
Recently, the "Novel Technology for Ultra-Low Temperature Cryopreservation, Activation, and Transplantation of Human Ovarian Tissue," developed through a collaborative effort between Shandong Yinfeng Life Science Research Institute and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Shenzhen Hospital, has been awarded the 2025 Shandong Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Science and Technology Award. This groundbreaking technology pioneers a new pathway for female fertility preservation, marking a significant leap in China’s interdisciplinary advancements in reproductive medicine and cryobiology.
On May 19, a delegation from the Chinese Training Workshop for Government Officials of Developing Countries visited the exhibition hall of Yinfeng Biological Group's Cryomedicine Research Center. Government officials from multiple countries gained in-depth insights into Yinfeng’s innovative achievements in cryobiomedicine, cell storage, genetic technology, and other fields. They engaged in discussions with the delegation on technology transfer and international cooperation, contributing to the building of a global community with a shared future for humanity.
On the morning of May 17, 2025, an immersive exploration into life sciences and cryomedicine concluded successfully at Jinan Yinfeng Biological Science Park. Hosted by the Shandong Yinfeng Life Science Research Institute, this event offered members a firsthand look into the research base through activities such as ultra-low temperature cryotherapy experiences, brainwave signal acquisition system trials, and expert panel discussions. Participants witnessed the infinite possibilities that cryogenic technology and life sciences hold for humanity.
The international academic platform ScholarGPS recently announced its global lists of Highly Ranked Scholars - Lifetime and Highly Ranked Scholars - Prior 5 Years, recognizing the top 0.05% of scholars across various disciplines. Among the selected Chinese scholars are national-level talents, leading figures in specialized fields, and seasoned academics dedicated to long-term research.
In January 2025, members of the Yinfeng cryomedicine team actively participated in the "Sino-French Aerial Emergency Medical Rescue Training" and obtained certification. This signifies a further enhancement of the team's professional capabilities in the field of international emergency medical rescue.
Brands are an important symbol of high-quality development. Under the drive of strategies such as Brand Strong Province and Good Products Shandong, Shandong brands have risen to prominence. Particularly in recent years, Shandong brands have focused on new quality productivity, using "new" to enhance quality, achieving remarkable results in high-quality development.
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