Through the successful reviving of dire wolves, the Dallas-based biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences has demonstrated that Texas is at the forefront of gene editing, conservation, and de-extinction research worldwide.
A Texan biotech company based in Dallas has revived the dire wolf, a scientific feat from a sci-fi movie or Game of Thrones episode. This Monday, Texas-based Colossal Biosciences reported the birth of three genetically modified dire wolf pups: Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi.
Colossal scientists created the first “de-extincted” mammal using cutting-edge gene editing techniques and ancient DNA from a 13,000-year-old fossil tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull. With 20 precision genetic modifications, 15 from prehistoric variants, these pups aren't merely wolf relatives. Colossal calls them “dire wolves reborn.”
“Texas is known for thinking big — and now we're proving that includes rewriting what's possible in science,” said native Texan CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm. “This is Lone Star innovation with global impact.”
The dire wolves are being kept on a 2,000-acre American Humane-certified sanctuary with strict security and skilled care. Colossal is also cloning endangered red wolves, demonstrating how its high-tech de-extinction strategy might help conservation efforts.
The corporation is collaborating with Indigenous leaders to reintroduce the species on protected grounds, which local conservationists say may make Texas a global animal recovery hub.
Colossal cultural advisor George R.R. Martin termed the feat “real-world magic made in Texas.”
Texas is leading the nation in industry, culture, and reviving the ancient wild, from cattle ranches to genomic coding.
