Tom Brady, renowned for his illustrious NFL career, is now making headlines in the realm of biotechnology.
As an investor and cultural advisor for Colossal Biosciences, Brady is part of a pioneering effort to revive the dire wolf, a species that vanished over 10,000 years ago.
Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based biotech firm, has achieved a significant milestone by creating three dire wolf pups-Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi-through advanced gene editing techniques.
By extracting DNA from ancient fossils and modifying the genome of modern gray wolves, scientists have recreated key traits of the extinct species.
From the Gridiron to Genetic Frontiers
Brady‘s interest in Colossal stems from his continuous pursuit of innovation and longevity.
Reflecting on his career, he stated, “When I think back through all the innovative things I was a part of during my playing career… what led me to those places was a very simple question: how can I play at a high level for a long time?”
This curiosity led him to Colossal’s co-founder, Ben Lamm, with whom he developed a friendship.
Brady recounted, “I asked him, half-jokingly, whether they could clone my sweet old dog Lua. He indulged me and said that’s not really what they’re trying to do, but yeah, technically they could clone her.”
Impressed by Lamm’s vision, Brady became both an investor and a member of Colossal’s cultural advisory board. He expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “As soon as I knew what Ben Lamm was doing and how out of the box his thinking was, I had to be involved.”
Brady believes that “Big ideas start with simple questions. And it’s the hard work of trying to answer those questions that produces life-changing innovations.”
Colossal’s achievement with the dire wolf is not just a scientific feat but also a testament to the potential of combining sports, culture, and science.
The company’s broader mission includes efforts to revive other extinct species, such as the woolly mammoth and the dodo, aiming to leverage de-extinction for ecological restoration.
Through his involvement with Colossal Biosciences, Brady continues to push boundaries, transitioning from sports icon to a contributor to groundbreaking scientific endeavors.
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