**US to Create Genomic and Cellular ‘BioVault’ for Endangered Species**
In a significant move towards biodiversity preservation, Texas-based biotech firm Colossal Biosciences has announced a partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to establish a comprehensive archive of living cells and genomic material for all species protected under the US Endangered Species Act. This initiative aims to safeguard approximately 2,300 types of animals and plants that are currently threatened or endangered.
The project, referred to as the BioVault, will serve as a cryogenic repository designed to store living cells, reproductive tissues, and genomic DNA. Colossal Biosciences CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it aims to preserve these biological samples before populations decline to a point beyond recovery. "The materials support assisted reproduction, genetic management of wild populations, and future restoration if a species is lost entirely," Lamm explained.
Colossal Biosciences, known for its focus on "de-extinction"—the concept of resurrecting extinct species—has previously claimed to have genetically engineered the dire wolf, a predator from the Ice Age. The company plans to invest tens of millions of dollars into the BioVault's construction and operation, although the memorandum of understanding with the Fish and Wildlife Service does not require federal funding.
The BioVault is envisioned as a permanent public resource, providing standardized samples and open-access genomic data to scientists globally. Matt James, Colossal's chief animal officer, noted that the Fish and Wildlife Service will lead the partnership, setting conservation priorities and providing the necessary regulatory framework for large-scale collection efforts. While no specific timeline for project completion has been established, the collaboration is expected to enhance the understanding of how biobanking and genomics can complement existing conservation strategies.
The biological materials housed in the BioVault will be preserved in liquid nitrogen at extremely low temperatures, specifically minus-321 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-196 degrees Celsius), at Colossal's headquarters in Dallas and additional locations. Lamm assured that the design includes redundancy measures to protect the integrity of the collection against potential threats such as natural disasters or power failures.
Lamm likened the BioVault to a modern-day interpretation of the biblical Noah’s Ark, emphasizing the proactive nature of the project. "The Noah’s Ark metaphor is about preserving the blueprint of life before it’s lost, not waiting until a species is on the brink to start paying attention," he stated. He further clarified that the initiative focuses on preserving the genomic and biological building blocks that define entire populations, safeguarding millions of years of evolutionary history encoded in their DNA.
The BioVault's mission extends beyond mere preservation; it aims to support recovery efforts, inform conservation management, and potentially restore genetic diversity to struggling populations. In extreme cases, it could even lay the groundwork for future de-extinction efforts if a species were to become extinct.
Species protected under the Endangered Species Act include a diverse range of organisms, from well-known animals like the polar bear to lesser-known species such as the Hine’s emerald dragonfly. Although biobanking for various species has been conducted for decades, it has often been fragmented, with different institutions maintaining isolated collections using varying protocols and access rules. Lamm pointed out that this has resulted in a disorganized system where some species have multiple redundant samples while others lack representation altogether.
The BioVault aims to address these challenges by establishing a national program with a government mandate, differentiating it from existing biobanking efforts. A notable parallel is drawn with the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which serves as a secure storage facility for food crop seeds from around the world.
Ownership of the samples stored in the BioVault will remain with the organizations that provide them, according to James. He also extended an invitation to the broader conservation community, including zoos, universities, government agencies, NGOs, and research institutions, to collaborate with Colossal Biosciences. "The Colossal BioVault is built to be complementary, not competitive," he stated, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in conservation.
As the BioVault project progresses, it represents a significant step forward in the fight against biodiversity loss and the preservation of endangered species, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for innovative solutions to protect the planet's biological heritage.