Colossal Biosciences and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partner to Biobank All U.S. Endangered Species

Colossal Biosciences announced on June 25 a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to collect and freeze cell and tissue samples from every species on the U.S. Endangered Species List. Time reported that the Dallas-based company will sequence the samples to build complete digital genome records before storage at its headquarters.

The U.S. list currently includes more than 2,100 species. In the past half century, 54 species have been delisted after recovery while 67 have gone extinct on the list, including 21 in 2023 alone. The partnership began with discussions five years ago after the agency learned of Colossal’s existing biobank of about 200 species preserved at -274°F.

Colossal will gather samples through blood draws, skin biopsies, and necropsies on carcasses or zoo-euthanized animals. The company plans to derive induced pluripotent stem cells where possible and open-source the biobank and sequences to labs and universities worldwide. ” Brian Nesvik, Director of the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, stated the collaboration will advance understanding of biobanking and genomics to support recovery of imperiled species. Matt James, Colossal’s chief animal officer, said the agency initially proposed 100 species but Colossal pushed to cover the full list. The company has already derived pluripotent stem cells from elephants for the first time.

The effort forms part of broader biobanking work. In February, Colossal announced a separate partnership with the Museum of the Future in Dubai to cryopreserve samples from more than 10,000 species, with the facility scheduled to open in October. Lamm noted the Dubai site will use interactive displays and robots to engage visitors.