The true story behind TIME magazine cover celebrating de-extinction of dire wolves using ancient DNA
Photo: TIME
The dire wolf, which disappeared over 10,000 years ago, left behind fossilised remains across North and South America. From these remains, Colossal extracted DNA dating between 13,000 and 72,000 years old. Scientists analysed the genetic material and identified 14 key genes linked to the dire wolf's distinctive features—muscular build, skull shape, powerful jaws, and pale coat colour.
These genes were edited into the DNA of modern grey wolves using CRISPR technology. The modified embryos were implanted into domestic dogs, resulting in three live births between October 2024 and February 2025. The pups—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—were delivered by caesarean section.
Now six months old, the pups each weigh around 80 pounds and are expected to grow significantly larger. They are currently kept within a secured 2,000-acre ecological preserve and fed a natural diet of deer and beef. Despite being hand-raised, they show strong wild instincts, including avoidance of human interaction.
Although they physically resemble dire wolves, the animals are genetically altered grey wolves, not restored members of the extinct Canis dirus species. The complete dire wolf genome has not been sequenced and was not reconstructed for this project.
In simple terms, the animal on TIME magazine's cover only phenotypically resembles what scientists believe dire wolves looked like.
Colossal states the purpose of the project is to advance tools for conservation and ecological restoration. Similar projects are underway targeting the woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
09-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Lord of the Rings Director aims to revive New Zealand's Moa bird species extinct for 600 years
Peter Jackson is collaborating with Colossal Biosciences to revive New Zealand's Moa bird species, which has been extinct for 600 years. Known for directing The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, Jackson has invested in the Texas-based biotech company to support the potential revival of the giant Moa bird. These flightless birds span nine unique species, with some standing up to 3.6 metres tall and weighing as much as 500lbs. Colossal Biosciences is working with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre in New Zealand to collect Moa bones for DNA sampling. Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh have already gathered around 400 Moa bones, which have been sampled for DNA to assist in creating a complete genome. 'Fran and I have a collection of around 400 Moa bones, and we've already sampled them for DNA,' Jackson told IGN. 'I see my role over the next year or two as gathering as many more bones as I can. The more bones, the better the genome.' Jackson added, 'I've always loved the idea of de-extinction. Particularly, since the science can also have huge benefits with endangered species too.' The Moa project is a personal passion for Jackson, who told MSN, 'The movies are my day job, and the Moa are my fun thing I do.' Colossal Biosciences has recently been in the spotlight for similar projects. The company's work aims to use de-extinction science to support biodiversity and conservation efforts globally.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Express Tribune
US Dept of Energy's 'Doudna' supercomputer to use Nvidia, Dell tech
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks as he visits Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to announce a U.S. supercomputer to be powered by Nvidia's forthcoming Vera Rubin chips, in Berkeley, California, U.S., May 29, REUTERS Listen to article The US Department of Energy on Thursday said its "Doudna" supercomputer due in 2026 will use technology from Nvidia and Dell. The computer, named after Nobel Prize-winning scientist Jennifer Doudna who made key CRISPR gene-editing discoveries, will be housed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. An event held at the lab was attended by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. Officials said that the system will use Nvidia's latest "Vera Rubin" chips built into liquid-cooled servers by Dell and will be used by 11,000 researchers. 🗣️📢 We're thrilled to work with The U.S. Department of @ENERGY on the flagship NERSC-10 supercomputer! Powered by our most advanced liquid-cooled server tech & @nvidia's next-generation accelerators - the "Doudna" system fuses #HPC & #AI to empower complex, integrated research… — Dell Technologies (@DellTech) May 29, 2025 "It will advance scientific discovery, from chemistry to physics to biology," Wright said at a press conference. The supercomputers operated by the US Department of Energy help scientists carry out fundamental scientific research. Doudna said her early work on CRISPR relied on support from the Energy Department. "Today, I think we're standing at a really interesting moment in biology that really marks the intersection of biology with computing," Doudna said. The Energy Department's supercomputers are also responsible for designing and maintaining the US nuclear weapons arsenal. "The scientific supercomputer is one of humanity's most vital instruments. It is the instrument for advancing knowledge discovery," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said at the event. "It is the foundation of scientific discovery for our country. It is also a foundation for economic and technology leadership. And with that, national security." Designed to accelerate science, @doescience announces the new 'Doudna' supercomputer, powered by NVIDIA and @Dell at @NERSC's @BerkeleyLab. Driven by @NVIDIA's next-generation Vera Rubin platform, this system brings together AI and simulation to help 11,000 scientists tackle… — NVIDIA Newsroom (@nvidianewsroom) May 29, 2025 Huang's remarks came a day after he praised US President Donald Trump while at the same time sharply criticizing export controls on selling Nvidia's chips to China that have cost Nvidia billions of dollars in lost revenue. Republican and Democratic senators Jim Banks and Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to Huang on Wednesday raising national security concerns about Nvidia's plans to open a research and development facility in Shanghai. On social media platform X, Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, wrote that "keeping advanced AI chips out of the hands of the Chinese Communists isn't about business, it's a national security issue. A word of warning to companies like Nvidia, anyone who breaks the law and circumvents export controls will be held accountable." Keeping advanced AI chips out of the hands of the Chinese Communists isn't about business, it's a national security issue. A word of warning to companies like @nvidia, anyone who breaks the law and circumvents export controls will be held accountable. — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) May 29, 2025
Express Tribune
17-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Elon Musk confirmed as father of Ashley St. Clair's baby Romulus
Elon Musk has been confirmed as the father of Ashley St. Clair's son, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. The child's name, Romulus, was also revealed in the report, ending months of speculation since St. Clair announced in September 2024 that she and the Tesla CEO had welcomed a baby together. A paternity test conducted by Labcorp established a 99.999% probability that Musk is indeed the father. A spokesperson for St. Clair confirmed both the paternity results and the child's name to People magazine. The announcement follows earlier online rumors and unconfirmed reports linking the two public figures as co-parents. Romulus is Elon Musk's 14th known child. The billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX shares children with four other women, including Canadian singer Grimes and author Justine Musk. The exact nature of Musk's current relationship with St. Clair remains unclear, though the paternity test now confirms a biological link between the two. Access Hollywood has reached out to Ashley St. Clair for additional confirmation, but no further comment has been issued at the time of writing. The revelation adds to the ongoing media attention surrounding Musk's personal life, which often garners as much public interest as his business ventures. With the name Romulus—reminiscent of the legendary founder of Rome—Musk continues his pattern of choosing distinctive and unconventional names for his children.
