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
Most recent headlines
04/09/2025
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...
14/05/2025
This article originally appeared on TV Tech sister brand Radio World....
14/05/2025
TACOMA, Wash. Seattle public broadcaster KBTC Public Television has launched KBTC-VC, a new virtual ATSC 3.0 channel, broadcasting on virtual channel 28-11. Th...
14/05/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission is moving to investigate certain 5G and satellite spectrum held by EchoStar and its satellite-TV subsidiary, Di...
14/05/2025
In an announcement that is likely to widely reverberate through the pay TV industry through the rest of 2025 and beyond, The Walt Disney Co. has unveiled import...
14/05/2025
WASHINGTON The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the results of the 2025 NAB Radio and Television Board of Directors elections. The two-y...
14/05/2025
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia & MONTREAL Arabsat, a global satellite operator and the primary provider of satellite services across the Arab world, has announced that it...
14/05/2025
TYSONS, Va., and INDIANAPOLIS Tegna and the Indiana Fever said broadcast stations in 11 additional Midwest markets will join WTHR Indianapolis in airing 18 of t...
14/05/2025
Hiring Shorts Video Editor for YT and TikTok videos - Longterm, Remote
Brie Clayton May 13, 2025
0 Comments
Hiring Shorts Video Editor for YT and TikT...
14/05/2025
Electronic music icon Don Diablo is known for pushing the boundaries of music, v...
14/05/2025
Genome of near-extinct northern white rhino offers hope for reviving the species Breakthrough from Scripps Research, San Diego Zoo, Max Planck Institute and oth...
13/05/2025
Spotify aims to bring compelling audiobooks to as many consumers as possible, and we're eager to give fans even more options as they discover their next gre...
13/05/2025
People all over the world love DJ. At the gym, at home, whenever and wherever you want a deeper experience with great music, DJ is the answer. In fact, DJ liste...
13/05/2025
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, a representative of the Ford Motor Company visited the SGL Carbon site in Ort im Innkreis, Austria, to present the prestigious Q1 Awa...
13/05/2025
Alone Australia Season 3: The Reunion
13 May, 2025
Media releases
As the latest season nears its end, SBS's hit series brings full cast together for re...
13/05/2025
The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that was create...
13/05/2025
L3Harris reflectors are known for their performance and reliability. They featur...
13/05/2025
L3Harris is supporting the development of a dual-arm, high-dexterity manipulatio...
13/05/2025
Home chevron_right News & Events chevron_right News chevron_right Clear-Com to Highlight Powerful Intercom Capabilities at InfoComm 2025
Clear-Com to Hig...
13/05/2025
Berklee Artists Take Center Stage at Top Music Festivals Thanks to the Berklee Popular Music Institute, students will perform at Lollapalooza, Governors Ball,...
13/05/2025
Solid Start to the Year Luxembourg, 30 April 2025 -- SES S.A. announces financial results for the three months ended 31 March 2025.
Revenue of 509 million (...
13/05/2025
LONDON IBC2025 is now open for registration, with the global media, entertainment and technology community set to gather at the RAI Amsterdam September 12 to 1...
13/05/2025
NEW YORK NBCUniversal at its upfront presentation laid outplans for new product features coming to Peacock for its NBA coverage, promising an unprecedented lev...
13/05/2025
NEW YORK In another example of how pay TV operators are looking to strengthen their bundled offerings by adding streaming services, Altice USA's Optimum has...
13/05/2025
Bolin Technology, producers of professional PTZ cameras and AV over IP solutions today announced a new distribution partnership with DigiBox in the UK and Irela...
13/05/2025
Leading South American internet subscription TV service provider Zapping Sports Ecuador has invested in a PlayBox Neo Channel-in-a-Box HD server to power its su...
13/05/2025
Pioneering DRM-based Solution Delivers Interactive Learning to Schools Without Internet Access
Encompass Digital Media has announced the completion of the worl...
13/05/2025
Techex, the UK-based expert in live video solutions over IP and cloud, will showcase its latest advances in software-defined broadcast technology at the Media P...
13/05/2025
Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, will participate in CABSAT 2025 (May 13 15, Dubai World Trade Centre) to present its latest innovations...
13/05/2025
Test & measurement innovator, Leader Electronics, will showcase its LPX500 Quad-input Waveform Monitor, featuring 100G-IP and 12G-SDI toolsets, at BroadcastAsia...
13/05/2025
Larry Jordan Meets With Sam Bogoch of Axle.ai to Talk About the Power of AI Powe...
13/05/2025
More than ever, radio stations today are challenged to provide the best experien...
13/05/2025
London, 13th May 2025: Iconic fashion brand Ghost is launching a 30-piece curate...
13/05/2025
ESPN Officially Unveils Name, Pricing Details for New DTC Streaming Service Dubbed simply ESPN, the service will debut this fall at $29.99/month By Jason Dachm...
13/05/2025
The Late Mike Bilbow, Former University of Georgia Administrator, Named 2025 Rec...
13/05/2025
SVG College Sports Media Awards: 2025 Finalists Unveiled; The American's Mar...
13/05/2025
Back to All News
Made in California: How Forever' Embraced the City of Los...
13/05/2025
Back to All News
Breaking Ground on Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth, Our State-of...
13/05/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 13, 2025 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced a new partnership with Evolution Digital, a global leader in advanced connectivity sol...
13/05/2025
Home News & Press Press Release Blancco Acquires Key Deploy from Blair Tec...
13/05/2025
Arvato Systems Expands Industry Expertise in the Insurance & Financial Services...
13/05/2025
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced new accessibility features coming later this year, including Accessibility Nutrition Labels, which will provide more...
13/05/2025
Teletimes interviews ABS CEO, Mark Rigolle...
13/05/2025
As the manufacturing industry faces challenges - such as labor shortages, reshor...
13/05/2025
Editor's note: This post is part of the AI On blog series, which explores the latest techniques and real-world applications of agentic AI, chatbots and copi...
13/05/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
On the occasion of DEFEA, Greece's premier defence exhibition, Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defe...
13/05/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
After the success of the deployment in Brest in ...
13/05/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales unveils its new multi-mission Primary Sur...
12/05/2025
As newsrooms around the world begin to experiment with artificial intelligence, many are asking the same question: how do we move beyond isolated pilots and emb...
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.
