BioHack 2026

About the challengeChallenge:The challenge is to develop a de-extinction scenario explorer, which prompts the user to select an extinct species and a candidate species for de-extinction. The tool should then compute the similarity between the selected organisms and decide whether de-extinction is possible from the chosen candidate species. This decision should be made based on genomic similarity between species. The final product should take into account the ecological implications of de-extinction. Namely, based on trusted sources of evidence of the species' ecological niche, the tool should dictate whether de-extinction can occur in the wild, or if it should occur in a controlled environment. The challenge will have an additional cybersecurity component, which consists of accessing "confidential" genomic data for one of the approved species. Participants are not required to access this dataset, but it is a bonus challenge that, if they succeed, will be counted in their favour.Relevancy:Deextinction has recently been in the news due to the work of genetics firm Colossal Bioscience, which claimed to have brought the extinct dire wolf back to life. In reality, they had modified a few genes in the living grey wolf to make them more like direwolves, so it was not a true deextinction success.Controversies/Discussion Points:Discussion over the viability/realism of such projectsDiscussion over funding projects and whether the money should go to conservation of living species insteadGet startedTo get started, participants should familiarize themselves with the pre-approved list of extinct species (provided ahead of the challenge in resources) and their nearest living counterparts (not provided until the challenge. Participants have the chance to deduce these living relatives before the challenge takes place)