Can extinct species like the dire wolf walk the Earth again? Thanks to advances in paleogenetics, CRISPR gene editing, and powerful computational biology, scientists are getting closer to unlocking ancient DNA secrets.
In this episode, learn how NSF-supported researchers sequenced the genome of dire wolves, extinct for over 12,000 years, and began using CRISPR technology to genetically engineer gray wolves with dire wolf DNA traits. While we’re not cloning dire wolves just yet, this breakthrough reveals how far science has come—and what’s still ahead.
🧬 What You'll Discover:
What makes the dire wolf genome unique
How scientists extracted and sequenced ancient DNA
How gene editing modifies traits using CRISPR
The limits of modern de-extinction science
Ethical and scientific implications of reviving extinct species
🔬 Powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, this research bridges the gap between the ancient past and the genetic future—raising fascinating questions about what we can and should do with the power of genetic engineering.
#GeneEditing #CRISPR #DireWolf #ExtinctSpecies #Paleogenetics #Genomics #NSFScience #DeExtinction #AncientDNA #GeneticEngineering #WolfDNA #SyntheticBiology #FutureOfScience
