Researchers have recently uncovered something astonishing: RNA can survive for tens of thousands of years, far longer than previously thought. This finding challenges the long-standing belief that RNA breaks down quickly after an organism dies. Marc Friedländer, a computational biologist from Stockholm University, expressed his surprise: “It’s amazing to find RNA that is 40,000 years old. Nobody really thought this was possible.”
This revelation opens up a treasure trove of possibilities for understanding ancient life. Erez Aiden, a biochemist at the University of Texas Medical Branch, notes that incorporating ancient RNA studies alongside existing DNA research could drastically change our view of biological history. “It’s like finding a Rosetta Stone for ancient life,” he stated.
The discovery stemmed from studying Yuka, a well-preserved mammoth found in melting permafrost in 2010. Yuka was unique, featuring a matted coat of strawberry blonde hair and pink flesh, a remarkable sight for a creature so old. Scientists believe Yuka faced significant stress before death, potentially from cave lions or early humans, as evidenced by stress-related genes found in its RNA.
This isn’t the first time RNA from ancient specimens has been studied, though. In 2019, researchers successfully profiled the RNA of a 14,300-year-old puppy. This continuous innovation inspires hope for future techniques.
Friedländer pointed out that RNA offers insights into gene expression during an organism’s life, highlighting the dynamic nature of genetics. Aiden mentioned that the research also identified unique microRNA in mammoths, which are absent in today’s elephants. These insights could play a key role in efforts to resurrect the woolly mammoth, a goal that Colossal Biosciences is pursuing.
In-depth research into ancient RNA could also help track how RNA viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, have evolved. As Friedländer emphasized, to understand the history of these viruses, we need to find RNA in old samples.
However, the findings come with caution. While the researchers studied ten mammoths, reliable RNA signals came from just three. They also corrected a long-held misconception about Yuka’s sex—initially thought to be female, Yuka is actually male.
Despite these breakthroughs, Aiden reminds us that there’s still much to learn about what happens to organic material after death. The mysteries surrounding how long certain molecules last and remain intact continue to intrigue scientists. “We know surprisingly little about this,” he said.
This ongoing research not only reshapes our understanding of the past but could also have significant implications for the future. As technology advances, the study of ancient RNA promises to uncover even more secrets about life on Earth.
If you’re keen to learn more about ancient RNA discoveries, you can read further in the journal Cell here.
