Woolly Mouse: Colossal Biosciences Revives Mammoth DNA

Colossal Biosciences' Progress Towards Mammoth Revival

Colossal Biosciences, the firm pursuing the ambitious project of woolly mammoth resurrection by 2028, reports consistent advancements in its research. Evidence supporting this claim centers around the successful genetic engineering of mice to exhibit mammoth-like fur characteristics.

Engineering the Woolly Mouse

To achieve this feat, scientists at the company identified the murine equivalents of mammoth genes. Subsequently, they employed CRISPR technology to modify mouse embryos, as explained by Dr. Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s chief science officer, in an interview with TechCrunch.

These modified embryos were then carefully implanted into surrogate mother mice for gestation and development.

Characteristics of the Engineered Fur

The resulting mice display fur that closely mirrors the color, texture, and density observed in woolly mammoths. This resemblance is a key indicator of the project’s potential.

Cold Climate Adaptation

Colossal Biosciences hypothesizes that this enhanced coat will enable the genetically altered mice to thrive in colder environments. However, prior to conducting experiments to test this, the company requires approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), ensuring adherence to ethical animal research standards.

Validating the effectiveness of these genes in improving cold adaptation is a crucial next step, according to Shapiro.

The Mammoth Genome Project

Colossal’s strategy for mammoth revival involves a comprehensive mapping of the complete genome of the extinct woolly mammoth. This genomic data is then compared to that of its closest extant relative, the Asian elephant.

Investor Confidence

The speed of technological development at Colossal has garnered significant interest from investors. Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, highlighted this during the announcement of a $200 million funding round, which valued the company at $10.2 billion in January, as reported by TechCrunch.

Expanding De-Extinction Efforts

Beyond the woolly mammoth, the company is also focused on bringing back the Tasmanian tiger and the dodo bird, broadening its scope of de-extinction initiatives.

Realism of the 2028 Timeline

However, the 2028 target date for mammoth revival may prove overly optimistic. Professor David Gold, a Paleobiologist at UC Davis, points out that while creating mutations in mice is challenging, it pales in comparison to the complexity of recreating a woolly mammoth.

He acknowledges the excitement surrounding the mice with mammoth-like coats, but emphasizes the vast genetic differences – hundreds in total – between elephants and mammoths. Significant technical obstacles remain.

A Watershed Moment

Despite these challenges, Lamm characterizes the creation of the woolly mouse as a “watershed moment” for Colossal’s de-extinction mission.

“The animals were born healthy, and they exhibited the precise characteristics we predicted,” Lamm stated. “The only unforeseen outcome was their exceptional cuteness; they are even more adorable than we had imagined.”