Extinction may be forever, but the biotech company Colossal Biosciences is pushing the boundaries of science with its ambitious project to bring back traits of extinct species, The Associated Press reports.
In a significant step toward reviving the woolly mammoth, Colossal scientists have announced the successful genetic engineering of mice to exhibit woolly characteristics.
Colossal Biosciences gained notoriety in 2021 with its plans to resurrect the woolly mammoth, which disappeared around 4,000 years ago, and later the dodo bird. The company’s approach involves studying ancient DNA to identify key traits of these extinct creatures and then genetically “engineer them into living animals,” explained CEO Ben Lamm.
On Tuesday, Colossal announced that its team successfully edited seven genes in mouse embryos to create mice with long, thick, woolly hair. Dubbed the “Colossal woolly mouse,” this achievement marks a technological milestone in the pursuit of de-extinction. The results have been posted online, pending peer-review and publication in a scientific journal.
Colossal’s scientists focused on identifying mouse genes related to hair texture and fat metabolism, traits likely associated with cold tolerance, a crucial characteristic for the woolly mammoth’s survival in the prehistoric Arctic.
The company’s long-term goal is to apply this technology to Asian elephants, the closest living relatives to woolly mammoths. However, given the endangered status of Asian elephants, any such plan would require extensive regulatory approvals, Lamm noted. Colossal has secured over $400 million in funding to support its de-extinction endeavors.
Telugu lauded Colossal’s technological advancements in pinpointing target genes, suggesting that the same approach might one day contribute to the fight against human diseases. Colossal has already spun off two healthcare companies, hinting at the broader potential of its technology.
