Exciting news! Scientists are on a mission to bring back the woolly mammoth by creating a new species called the woolly mouse. The team at Colossal Biosciences is working to blend traits from these ancient giants into Asian elephants. Their goal? To have the first mammoth-like calf born by the end of 2028.
Ben Lamm, co-founder of Colossal, explained that the team has been diving deep into mammoth DNA, comparing it with that of Asian elephants. This research helps them understand the differences and figure out how to make the changes needed. They have already started editing the genes of Asian elephants.
Recently, the team announced an important breakthrough: they created genetically modified mice with traits that help them handle cold, including woolly fur. Lamm described this as a significant milestone, as it supports their plans for the mammoth project.
In their study, which is still waiting for peer review, the researchers used advanced editing techniques on mouse eggs and stem cells. They focused on nine specific genes that play a role in hair traits, aiming to mimic the woolly mammoth’s appearance, including its thick, golden fur.
The researchers also targeted a gene linked to fat metabolism, which could help with cold adaptation. They tested different combinations of gene edits, achieving impressive results with some mice displaying a variety of hair types, from woolly coats to long, flowing locks. However, the average body weight of the mice remained about the same, regardless of genetic changes.
While some mice were born with distinct traits, most experiments did not produce offspring. Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s chief science officer, noted that despite varied success, some mice were perfectly edited.
As the team moves forward, they plan to conduct tests to see if these mice can tolerate cold temperatures, a crucial factor in their research.
Outside experts are intrigued by the work but also cautious. Robin Lovell-Badge from the Francis Crick Institute appreciated the technical aspects but highlighted the complexity of de-extincting mammoths. He mentioned that changing a few genes may not be enough to ensure mammoths not only look like their ancient counterparts but also behave like them. He questions whether resources could be better used in efforts to stop current species from going extinct.
Dr. Tori Herridge from the University of Sheffield echoed these concerns, noting that reviving the mammoth involves many more genes and complexities than just editing a few in a mouse. She highlighted the significant challenges ahead.
In the end, while some are hopeful about the revival of the woolly mammoth, others remain skeptical and believe it’s still a long way off.
