The United Arab Emirates has announced a major collaboration with Colossal Biosciences to advance global conservation, biodiversity protection, and scientific research, positioning the UAE as a regional and global hub for knowledge-driven environmental innovation across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.
Central to the initiative is the creation of a permanent laboratory and Colossal BioVault at Dubai’s Museum of the Future, directed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE. The Museum of the Future will serve as a platform for researchers and innovators to explore emerging approaches to species preservation, ecological resilience, and biodiversity safeguarding.
The partnership includes a nine-figure investment in the UAE to establish what is described as the world’s first Colossal BioVault, a research-driven facility that preserves genetic material from thousands of species. The program also includes an initial UAE-led contribution to Colossal as part of the company’s most recent funding round, with the parties noting that additional funding rounds may occur in the future and will be disclosed when appropriate.
The BioVault is intended to house millions of samples representing more than 10,000 species, with an initial focus on 100 of the most imperiled species that are not currently banked elsewhere. The project is framed as a response to rising extinction risk, with the initiative emphasizing a secure, collaborative, and scalable “backup system” to preserve life on Earth.
Colossal said the facility will integrate automated robotics, AI-powered monitoring, and proprietary cryopreservation and reanimation tools to track, preserve, and manage access to samples. The program also aims to generate genomic data and reference genomes to support conservation research and long-term biodiversity planning. In parallel, the Museum of the Future plans to make the work visible to visitors through immersive experiences and live lab environments, with an emphasis on citizen science and public engagement.
The announcement coincides with the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where the Museum of the Future is showcasing a preview of the World Preservation Lab and Colossal BioVault exhibition under development, with Colossal engaging with global leaders at the event.
KEY QUOTES:
“I believe the future belongs to those who harness technology and innovation to address our greatest challenges.”
“By working with Colossal Biosciences, leaders in synthetic biology and conservation, we are taking a bold step to advance science that safeguards our planet, restores ecosystems, and builds a sustainable legacy for future generations. In its first year, the initiative will prioritize fieldwork and DNA research across species, laying the scientific groundwork for future biodiversity protection and conservation. This reflects the Museum of the Future’s long-standing commitment to environmental protection and reinforces our role in advancing scientific progress and shaping the future of life on Earth.”
Majed Al Mansoori, Executive Director, Museum of the Future
“The UAE’s deep commitment to innovation, conservation and technological advancement is truly inspiring.”
“Through this visionary partnership, Colossal has the opportunity to expand into a critical region and advance our mission on a global scale. We are losing species at an alarming rate, and the world urgently needs a distributed network of global BioVaults a true backup plan for life on Earth. Today’s biobanking efforts are underfunded, fragmented, and often inaccessible, lacking the collaboration and international support that this crisis demands. Thanks to the visionary leadership of the UAE, Colossal is now creating the world’s first Colossal BioVault: an unprecedented global resource, a modern-day Noah’s Ark for protecting and restoring life on our planet. We are excited to build on this relationship and pioneering bold new solutions to safeguard biodiversity for generations to come.”
Ben Lamm, Co-Founder and CEO, Colossal Biosciences
