Genome of near-extinct northern white rhino offers hope for reviving the species Breakthrough from Scripps Research, San Diego Zoo, Max Planck Institute and other collaborators paves way for stem cell-based reproduction.
May 13, 2025
LA JOLLA, CA The northern white rhinoceros is one of the rarest animals on Earth, with just two females left and no natural way for the species to reproduce. Now, an international team of scientists at Scripps Research, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, and other collaborators have mapped the entire genome of a northern white rhino. This represents a crucial step toward bringing the critically endangered species back from the edge using advanced reproductive technologies.
The complete genome can be used as a reference to analyze the health of previously developed northern white rhinoceros stem cells. Eventually, those stem cells may be able to generate sperm and eggs to yield new rhinos. The genome was published on May 13, 2025, in PNAS.
Professor Emeritus Jeanne Loring posing with a northern white rhinoceros. Credit: Jeanne Loring What's so exciting about this milestone is that we're getting closer to being able to rescue animals that otherwise might go extinct during our lifetimes, says co-senior author Jeanne Loring, Professor Emeritus at Scripps Research and a research fellow at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. This is great progress not only for white rhinos, but for the entire field of animal conservation.
The new effort combined cutting-edge DNA sequencing and genome mapping techniques to build a high-quality genome. Scientists used cells previously collected from a male northern white rhinoceros named Angalifu, who lived at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park until his death in 2014. At the time, his skin cells were cryopreserved in the San Diego Zoos Frozen Zoo .
We layered together multiple technologies to make the most accurate genomic map possible, says Loring. It's like the rhino version of the Human Genome Project.
This new genome also represents a vital tool toward saving the endangered species. In 2011, Loring's team created the first induced pluripotent stem cells from northern white rhinos. They have since, in collaboration with the San Diego Zoo, created other lines of stem cells from nine different individual northern white rhinos. These lab-grown cells have the ability to become any other cell type, including eggs and sperm that could potentially be used to create embryos.
Collaboration was integral to achieving this milestone, says Marisa Korody, a scientist in conservation genetics at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. This high-quality reference genome is a key piece of the puzzle that helps us understand how the stem cells are functioning and guides our next steps in the genetic rescue process. None of it would be possible without the Frozen Zoo and the rhinos whose cells were preserved decades ago.
But one major hurdle has always been quality control. Without a reference genome, scientists didn't know whether any of those stem cells had picked up harmful mutations during lab growth a common problem in both human and animal stem cells. In the new research, Loring's team was able to use the new, complete genome to analyze the previously created stem cell lineages. They discovered that one of the most promising of the stem cell lines had a large chunk of DNA missing more than 30 million base pairs affecting over 200 genes, including those involved in reproduction and tumor suppression.
If we hadn't built this genome, we wouldn't have known that, adds Loring. We thought we had a good stem cell line, but it turns out it had a mutation that could have made it unsafe to use for reproduction. Now we can go back and screen all the others. This becomes the gold standard for deciding which cells to move forward with.
The new genome also settled lingering questions about how different northern and southern white rhinos really are. Some earlier data suggested significant DNA differences that might make it risky for southern white rhinos to be implanted with northern white rhino embryos. But updated comparisons show their genomes are strikingly similar, giving scientists confidence that southern white rhinos which are far more numerous can serve as surrogates without major complications.
For Loring, who's been working on this project since 2007, the new genome is a symbol of what's possible. Now that we have their genome, we can apply all the tools we've developed for humans CRISPR gene editing, reporter genes, everything to help rescue them.
The work also sets a powerful example for other endangered species, Loring says. Efforts to save hundreds of different endangered species from mammals and birds to plants and corals depend on careful biobanking like that being done by the Frozen Zoo.
The Frozen Zoo had the foresight to freeze actual cells from these animals, she says. That means we're not trying to recreate a species from scraps of ancient, damaged DNA. We have the real thing.
Ultimately, the goal is to grow healthy embryos and implant them into surrogate mothers, then raise the resulting calves in protected environments. It's not Jurassic Park, Loring is quick to point out, and it doesn't depend on gene editing or engineering.
We're not resurrecting a mystery species we're restoring one we still know intimately, she adds. The rhino is big, gentle and unforgettable. It's the perfect symbol for what science can do to fight extinction.
In addition to Loring, authors of the study, Genomic map of the functionally extinct northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), were Gaojianyong Wang, Camilo Jose Hernandez-Toro, Alexander Meissner and Franz-Josef M ller of the Max Planck I
Europe Stories
04/09/2025
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...
29/05/2025
Japan's music scene is entering an exciting new chapter. Long known for its ...
29/05/2025
Webinar and Report: State Broadband Rate Regulation
May 29, 2025
Network Economics
News
Cartesian presents key findings from our latest report for...
29/05/2025
We're pleased to be working with Nectar360 (Sainsbury's retail media business) and Albert Heijn, who are in the latter stages of the compliance audit an...
29/05/2025
May 29 2025, 23:30 (PDT) Mahindra Thar ROXX brings Dolby Atmos for an elevated entertainment experience
First to the world: 4-channel immersive audio with D...
29/05/2025
LONDON - 29th May 2025: Fifty years ago, The Good Life made its debut. Now, the ...
29/05/2025
Comscore Adds Consumer AI Tool Usage Data to Its Industry-Leading Suite of Repor...
29/05/2025
Apple today introduced new Logic Pro updates for Mac and iPad, supercharging beat making and producing. The innovative Stem Splitter feature now offers even gre...
29/05/2025
Dragon Hearts- RT documentary follows cancer survivors united through the power...
29/05/2025
2FM is hitting the road this summer, broadcasting live from Ireland's biggest music festivals, starting with Forbidden Fruit this June Bank Holiday weekend....
29/05/2025
Aistear an Amhr in RT series reveals fascinating stories behind Ireland's ...
28/05/2025
Spotify is all about bringing you closer to the voices and stories you love. Tha...
28/05/2025
A ind stria musical do Brasil est passando por uma transforma o hist rica - e o Spotify segue iluminando esse caminho. A vers o mais recente do relat rio Loud...
28/05/2025
Brazil's music industry is in the midst of a historic transformation-and Spotify continues to help illuminate the path. Our most recent Loud & Clear report,...
28/05/2025
Spotify's commitment to transparency and artist empowerment continues to res...
28/05/2025
VIZ Media Confirms Acquisition of One-Punch Man Season 3
San Francisco, CA May 27, 2025 VIZ Media Get ready, heroes! VIZ Media is excited to officially...
28/05/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 28, 2025 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced the launch of its new SeaStar Optical Node, redefining broadband connectivity for low...
28/05/2025
Yahoo DSP Onboards Comscore's AI-Powered ID-Free Audiences for Efficient and...
28/05/2025
This summer, RT , in collaboration with Ireland's vibrant independent produc...
28/05/2025
Debbie Brophy has been crowned the winner of Super Garden 2025. The garden design challenge, now in its 16th series, has once again showcased the extraordinary ...
27/05/2025
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, published the 2024 Corporate Carbon Foo...
27/05/2025
Since launching in 2008, the App Store has been a safe and trusted place for users and a vibrant marketplace for developers to grow their businesses around the ...
27/05/2025
RT is pleased to announce the appointment of Hugh Ormond to the new role, Head of Podcasting, following an internal competition.
In this pivotal role to the ...
27/05/2025
RT will meet with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport on Wednesday 28th May, 2025.
The Committee identified a nu...
27/05/2025
May 27 2025, 07:00 (PDT) TCL Brings Dolby Atmos FlexConnect to 2025 QD-Mini LED TVs
Dolby Atmos FlexConnect to power forthcoming wireless speaker through t...
23/05/2025
New 5G satellite technology by an international research team advances global mo...
23/05/2025
In an email to RT staff this evening, RT Director General stated as follows:
Dear colleagues,
RT 's VEP 2025 is now closed. I can confirm that we receiv...
23/05/2025
23 May 2025
VEON and Engro Corporation Advance to Closing Pioneering Infrastruc...
23/05/2025
Featuring guest writers Edel Coffey, Mike McCormack, Sin ad Moriarty, Dave Rudde...
22/05/2025
Calrec fuels young talent by backing local students in the F1 in Schools programme...
22/05/2025
Secure integrated multi-orbit network (SIMON ) delivered by SES Space & Defense ...
22/05/2025
Zurich Instruments and Rohde & Schwarz to back the National Quantum Computing Te...
22/05/2025
Rohde & Schwarz Satellite Industry Day 2025: Connecting the world with New Space...
22/05/2025
Wuppertal May 22, 2025
Riedel Premieres Easy5G and RefCam Live Systems in High...
22/05/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 22, 2025 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that t...
22/05/2025
Introducing RedNet TNX We're pleased to introduce RedNet TNX, the latest addition to the RedNet range and our first Thunderbolt interface specifically de...
22/05/2025
In line with the published New Direction strategy, RT has launched a commissioning process that will see all Christian Worship content on RT 's video platf...
22/05/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
As a strategic partner in helping Malaysia achie...
22/05/2025
Prime Time speaks to Charleen Murphy, an influencer whose online harassment turned into a real-world attack
Tonight, Prime Time hosts a special programme focus...
22/05/2025
RT 's Today show, in conjunction with Ireland's oldest publishing house Mercier Press, have announced Ireland's newest published author. Rebecca M...
21/05/2025
When CMA Fest springs to life in Nashville each year, Spotify House is always one of the top destinations-and 2025 will be no different. For the sixth year, Spo...
21/05/2025
Marking a first, Spotify has launched the Upcoming Releases hub-a destination so...
21/05/2025
At todays Annual General Meeting, the shareholders of SGL Carbon SE discharged the Board of Management and Supervisory Board for the 2024 fiscal year and approv...
21/05/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
21/05/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
21/05/2025
Wednesday 21 May 2025
Brits call for voice notes to be capped at two minutes after research reveals the nation is suffering from VNF - Voice Note Fatigue Voice...
21/05/2025
ElastiFlow and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate to deliver unmatched network traffic ...
21/05/2025
Arvato Systems Receives Gold Award at Service Provider Award in the Category AI...
Genome of near-extinct northern white rhino offers hope for reviving the species Breakthrough from Scripps Research, San Diego Zoo, Max Planck Institute and other collaborators paves way for stem cell-based reproduction.
