DALLAS– Colossal Biosciences, a breakthrough biosciences and genetic engineering company, and the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) have become the first to successfully sequence the entire Asian elephant genome, introducing a new wave of innovative and disruptive animal conservation. Mammalian genetic code has not been fully sequenced at this degree since the Human Genome Project was completed in the early 2000s, which forged the ability to read nature’s complete genetic blueprint for a human. This effort not only ensures the endangered Asian elephant lineage will endure, but also introduces a new wave of thoughtful and disruptive animal conservation through genetic rescue.
“Colossal is committed to the VGP mission of sequencing all vertebrates to genetically back-up critical and keystone living species. By bringing resources and attention to these groundbreaking efforts, we can create new pathways to saving biodiversity, impacting climate change, and preserving life on Earth,” said Ben Lamm, Colossal Co-Founder and CEO.
The first phase of this landmark project which was completed in June included the sequencing, assembly, and annotation of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) genome. The next phase of the project will include genetic rescue of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), the Forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), and the Borneo elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) genomes, which are all classified as endangered or critically endangered species by IUCN. The high-quality genome assemblies of the Asian elephant are complete and near error-free, and ensures all valuable parts of the genomes are captured for long-term species preservation and de-extinction efforts.
“I am glad that we are able to generate a high-quality genome that will be useful for Colossal’s endeavors and other collaborators within the Vertebrate Genomes Project. I am glad that Colossal is helping the VGP in our efforts,” said Erich Jarvis, PhD, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and Professor at The Rockefeller University. Dr. Jarvis is Chair of the Vertebrate Genomes Project.
“This is one of the highest quality reference genomes ever produced. Advances made in this accomplishment will fuel a promising future for the rapid advancement of species restoration and extinction prevention worldwide through genetic rescue,” said Sara Ord, Colossal Director of Species Restoration.
The Asian elephant genome, which is being sequenced T2T (telomere to telomere), is one of the highest quality mammalian genomes in existence with only 59 gaps. Following the efforts given to the T2T human genome project, the Asian elephant will be one of the first genomes to be sequenced T2T.
Today’s news follows Colossal Biosciences launch in September 2021, when the company announced it will de-extinct the Woolly Mammoth, which shares 99.6 percent of its DNA with the Asian elephant. The company secured $60 million via a Series A financing led by Thomas Tull and At One Ventures in March of 2022, bringing total funding to $75 million to date. In addition to work with VGP, Colossal is committed to the development of software, wetware, and ex-utero gestational technologies to advance species de-extinction efforts more broadly. Genetic tools and technologies developed by Colossal will also have the potential to advance human health, enhance food production, reduce environmental impact, and optimize animal health and welfare.
