The Scientist Who Brought the Dire Wolf Back from Extinction
Forbes profiles Dr. Beth Shapiro, the Chief Science Officer behind Colossal Biosciences’ historic breakthrough
Before the birth of Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, there was decades of work in ancient DNA research. Forbes takes a closer look at Dr. Beth Shapiro, Colossal Biosciences’ Chief Science Officer, whose expertise in genomic science and extinct species sequencing made the dire wolf revival possible. Leading a predominantly female team, Shapiro oversaw the precise genome editing that introduced 20 targeted edits into the gray wolf genome to express dire wolf characteristics. “What conservation needs is bold ideas and bold action,” Shapiro said. “With the successful birth of Colossal’s dire wolf, we are one step closer to a world in which these tools are among those at our disposal to help species thrive in their rapidly changing habitats.” For Shapiro, the work is as much about the next generation as it is about the science. “We get letters from kids inspired by our work,” she said. “Our science, conservation efforts, and commitment to bettering the planet.”
Read the full profile at Forbes.