Does Colossal publish peer-reviewed research and share its data?

Yes, Colossal Biosciences publishes de-extinction and conservation research in peer-reviewed journals, scientific preprints, and open data repositories. As a fast-moving biotech company, we continue to find the balance between what is patented versus the slower, traditional peer-review process. 

In some cases, Colossal uses patents to make its scientific progress part of the public record rather than dedicating scientists’ time on writing academic papers for peer review which is very time consuming. Colossal finds the patent method to be a trade-off for a fast-paced, privately funded biotech model. 

Our scientists have collectively published over 2,000 papers and secured over 500 unique patents throughout their careers. Whenever possible, Colossal makes its genetic, genomic, and husbandry data publicly available, fostering broad stakeholder engagement and global conservation collaboration.

How Colossal Publishes Peer-Reviewed Research

  • Colossal pre-print papers submitted for peer review are published on bioRxiv.com
  • Once peer-reviewed, papers are published in leading scientific journals
  • Research data, including genomic sequencing information, is deposited in public repositories like the NCBI Sequence Read Archive
  • Husbandry protocols are made publicly available for external review and application

For example, all data generated for the dire wolf ancestry and evolution paper is available at NCBI BioProject PRJNA1222369, illustrating Colossal’s standard practice of depositing project data in public archives.

How Colossal Shares Data, Tools, and Protocols 

Colossal open-sources its tools and reference genomes freely with scientists and conservationists worldwide. This approach helps conservation partners:

  • Save species through advanced genetic tools
  • Accelerate their research and fieldwork
  • Scale their impact across multiple projects
  • Overcome financial barriers to innovation in wildlife conservation

Anyone working on conservation can use Colossal’s technologies at no cost, ensuring these breakthrough tools reach organizations that need them most.

Scientific Advisory Network

Colossal’s research is guided by 95+ top scientific advisors, including Nobel Laureates, who represent diverse perspectives across the scientific spectrum. The company also funds:

  • 17 academic universities worldwide
  • 40 post-doctoral researchers globally
  • Multiple collaborative partnerships with leading research institutions

This extensive network ensures rigorous scientific oversight and facilitates knowledge transfer between academia and practical conservation applications.

Research Applications Beyond De-Extinction

Key findings from Colossal’s de-extinction research are publicly documented, facilitating rigorous scientific scrutiny, replication, and application in broader conservation contexts. Technologies developed through de-extinction projects directly benefit living species conservation efforts, including work with endangered canids, elephants, and other threatened wildlife.

For a complete list of Colossal’s published research, visit the Colossal Research Publications hub.