Bringing biotechnologies to conservation
The Revive & Restore mission is to enhance biodiversity through the genetic rescue of endangered and extinct species.
Ecosystems around the world face unparalleled biodiversity loss but solutions are available. Genomic technologies have evolved and are increasingly affordable and dynamic. By developing a new Genetic Rescue Toolkit for conservation, Revive & Restore is helping to address conservation challenges in ways never before possible.
Cloning the Przewalski’s horse
The world’s first successfully cloned endangered Przewalski’s horse was born on August 6, 2020. Revive & Restore, San Diego Zoo Global, and ViaGen Equine collaborated to clone the foal from the cell line of a genetically important stallion, cryopreserved since 1980.
Wild Genomes
The purpose of Wild Genomes is to accelerate the adoption of genomic sequencing and tissue biobanking for applied wildlife conservation. The first ten projects (the Joshua tree among them) were awarded this summer. Wild Genomes is re-opened for marine proposals only, now through December 15.
Biotech can save the horseshoe crab
For decades, drug manufacturers have relied on the blood of the horseshoe crab to make vaccines safe. But a synthetic substitute can replace this practice, and just in time—when 14 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines are needed.
Black-footed Ferret Genetic Rescue
After six years of development by Revive & Restore, significant laboratory work is now underway. These three projects are part of a nationwide effort to increase the Black-footed ferret’s genetic diversity and secure its recovery in the wild.
THE CATALYST SCIENCE FUND
We started this fund, with generous support from biotech company Promega, to hasten impactful innovations in conservation and to clearly demonstrate the benefits of genetic rescue biotechnologies to the broader conservation community.
AVIAN GENETIC RESCUE
We continue our work on passenger pigeon and heath hen de-extinction by developing the advanced reproductive technologies necessary to make it possible. The goal of reviving extinct avian species—and restoring endangered species as well—is to show that biodiversity loss doesn’t have to be permanent.
