Colossal Biosciences

Chytrid fungus is the deadliest pathogen known to science, and it's causing a huge number of amphibian extinctions around the world. An unlikely hero—the alpaca—may hold the key to developing immunity in amphibians. The Colossal Foundation is contributing $3 million over three years to the Pask and Frankenberg Lab at the University of Melbourne to aid amphibians in the fight against Chytrid. It will help facilitate genetic research and leverages Colossal's advanced genomic technologies to protect these vital parts of earth's ecosystems 💚🐸 📸 Credit to Aussie Ark and Emanuele Biggi—make sure to give them a follow.

The de-extinction of species like the woolly mammoth or dodo isn’t just about science—it’s about inspiring a new generation of scientific innovation 🌎🧬

Amphibians are facing their greatest threat yet: chytrid fungus, a disease responsible for the extinction of 90+ species and declines in 500 or more 🐸📉 The Colossal Foundation is taking action with a $3 million commitment over three years to the Pask and Frankenberg Lab at the University of Melbourne. Learn how we're pioneering an innovative approach that combines cutting-edge biotechnology with help from an unexpected ally–alpacas–to halt the spread of this deadly fungus.

In October, we launched the Colossal Foundation so that we can put the technology we develop in our labs into the hands of conservationists in the field. The tools of de-extinction will empower radical new forms of conservation. And given that we are entering the sixth mass extinction in the history of planet earth, the time to take action is now

In the face of mass extinction, it's our ethical duty to restore balance to earth's ecosystems as best we can

Its plan to bring the Tassie tiger back from extinction caused a sensation. Now US-based Colossal Biosciences is directing US $3 million to University of Melbourne to combat one of the most deadly wildlife diseases in the world. While most people haven’t heard of chytrid fungus, it’s directly caused six extinctions in Australia, more than any other species other than humans. And globally it’s led to the decline of over 500 amphibian species, including 90 extinctions. Dr Andrew Pask and the Colossal team spoke to Yahoo News about his plan to gene-edit amphibians so they can fight off the disease. https://lnkd.in/gKhPe7iR

The Colossal Biosciences Foundation have generously donated a further US $3 million to engineering amphibian immunity, supporting the work of Prof Andrew Pask and Dr Stephen Frankenberg and following on from recent funding for avian conservation. Colossal also supports the University’s DNA research and conservation work on the Northern Quoll and the Thylacine. Tap to learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gHhMtuJm

Chief Science Officer Beth Shapiro and Kevin Webb of Superorganism explored the use of genetic rescue technologies for global ecosystem conservation at yesterday’s HackSummit in Brooklyn.

From a Q&A with our CEO Ben Lamm and Nature's editor in chief Magdalena Skipper

The pink pigeon is one of many species fighting for survival due the loss of genetic diversity. Our avian species director, Anna Keyte, shares how our pioneering work with primordial germ cells (PGCs) is opening new doors: "This is a place where we can really make a big contribution to bird conservation as a whole." https://lnkd.in/gpp7Whth #bioscience #research #innovation