EP 141 Ben Lamm (Founder & CEO, Colossal Biosciences) On The Breakthroughs Making De-Extinction Actually Possible - The Logan Bartlett Show Recap

Podcast: The Logan Bartlett Show

Published: 2025-05-02

Duration: 1 hr 26 min

Summary

In this episode, Ben Lamm discusses Colossal Biosciences' groundbreaking work in de-extinction, particularly the efforts to bring back the woolly mammoth and dire wolves using advanced genetic engineering. Lamm highlights the innovative technologies and challenges involved in this ambitious endeavor.

What Happened

Ben Lamm, the founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, introduces the concept of de-extinction and the use of genetic engineering to revive extinct species. He explains that Colossal is the first company dedicated to de-extinction and species preservation, utilizing advanced technologies to tackle complex biological challenges. Since its inception in 2021, Colossal has raised substantial funding, totaling $435 million for the company and an additional $50 million for its foundation, demonstrating a strong belief in the potential impact of their work on conservation and human health.

Lamm shares his unexpected journey into the world of synthetic biology, highlighting his background in software and system design. He emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions and collaborating with experts in the field, such as George Church, a pivotal figure in synthetic biology. Lamm recounts a transformative conversation with Church, who expressed a desire to work on reviving the woolly mammoth, sparking the idea for Colossal. The conversation shifted Lamm's focus towards the potential for innovation in genetics and the possibility of combining various technologies to achieve de-extinction.

The discussion also touches on the practicalities and public relations aspects of de-extinction. Lamm explains the complexities involved in retrieving ancient DNA, particularly the challenges of finding recoverable DNA from sources like the La Brea Tar Pits. He reveals that a significant part of their work involves ensuring they have enough genetic material to work with, paving the way for future advancements in de-extinction efforts. Lamm’s excitement about the possibilities in the field, particularly the recent announcement of their work on dire wolves, underscores the innovative and ambitious nature of Colossal's mission.

Key Insights

• Colossal Biosciences is pioneering the field of de-extinction and species preservation using genetic engineering.
• Ben Lamm emphasizes the importance of collaboration and asking the right questions in scientific innovation.
• Reviving extinct species like the woolly mammoth and dire wolf involves overcoming significant technical challenges, particularly in retrieving and editing ancient DNA.
• Colossal has raised substantial funding to support its ambitious projects, reflecting strong investor confidence in the potential impact on conservation.

Key Questions Answered

What is Colossal Biosciences?

Colossal Biosciences is described as the world's first de-extinction and species preservation company, focusing on using genetic engineering and computational biology to tackle challenges in genotype to phenotype relationships. The company aims to open-source its technology for conservation efforts, marking a significant step in the application of modern science to revive extinct species.

How much funding has Colossal raised?

Ben Lamm mentions that Colossal has successfully raised $435 million for the company itself and an additional $50 million for its foundation. This substantial amount of funding indicates a strong belief in the potential of their innovative approaches to conservation and de-extinction, highlighting investor confidence in the mission.

What inspired Ben Lamm to pursue de-extinction?

Lamm shares that his entry into the field of de-extinction was somewhat accidental, stemming from his background in software. He was intrigued by a conversation with George Church, a leader in synthetic biology, who revealed his interest in working on bringing back the woolly mammoth. This pivotal moment led Lamm to explore the intersection of technology and biology, ultimately establishing Colossal.

What challenges are faced in reviving extinct species?

One of the major challenges discussed is the retrieval of ancient DNA, which is often degraded and hard to recover from sites like the La Brea Tar Pits. Lamm explains that finding viable samples requires extensive effort and that they need a minimum of six times the coverage of DNA to proceed with de-extinction efforts. This underscores the technical hurdles that still need to be overcome in the field.

What recent developments has Colossal announced?

Recently, Colossal announced its work on reviving dire wolves, showcasing their progress in the de-extinction field. Lamm mentions that they have successfully produced three dire wolves, two males and one female. This announcement reflects the company's commitment to advancing their de-extinction efforts and illustrates the tangible results of their innovative research.