Colossal Biosciences Unveils UAE Biovault to Save Endangered Species from Extinction
Colossal Biosciences has revealed plans for a massive biovault in the United Arab Emirates. The facility will store up to 1 million biological samples from thousands of species. Its goal is to protect endangered animals and, if needed, revive those that go extinct in the future.
The new Colossal Biovault and World Preservation Lab will freeze tissue and other samples from 10,000 species. This includes the 100 most threatened globally and within the UAE. By keeping multiple samples of each species, the project aims to preserve genetic diversity for future research.
The initiative is part of a larger nine-figure investment in the UAE, with a recent $60 million funding boost. Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal, likened the biovault to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in the Arctic. Unlike other biobanks, such as the San Diego Zoo's Frozen Zoo or the Frozen Ark, this facility will also feature public exhibits at Dubai's Museum of the Future.
Colossal has already made headlines for its work in de-extinction. The company previously claimed to have revived the extinct dire wolf using gene-editing and cloning. With over 48,000 species currently threatened, according to the IUCN Red List, the biovault's mission is to provide a backup for biodiversity before more disappear forever.
The UAE-based biovault will serve as both a research hub and a public display. It aims to safeguard genetic material from thousands of at-risk species. If successful, the project could play a key role in future conservation and even the revival of lost animals.
