Harvard geneticist George Church is making strides in his mission to resurrect the woolly mammoth that vanished 4,000 years ago. Through his company, Colossal Biosciences, Church has successfully reprogrammed cells from an Asian elephant into an embryonic state – a crucial breakthrough in creating a hybrid elephant-mammoth.
The ultimate goal of this project is to reintroduce these creatures into the Arctic tundra, thereby assisting in restoring the ecosystem. By modifying the cells into induced pluripotent stem cells, scientists can imbue Asian elephants with the necessary genetic traits to adapt to the harsh Arctic conditions, such as a woolly coat and insulating fat.
Although the team’s research is on track for publication in a scientific journal, it has yet to undergo peer review. Nonetheless, Colossal is already looking ahead to utilizing cloning techniques to create a genetically edited embryo, similar to methods used in the past. By analyzing the genomes of 53 woolly mammoths, researchers aim to understand what sets these ancient creatures apart genetically.
In addition to the mammoth project, Colossal has announced plans to resurrect the Tasmanian tiger in 2022 and the dodo in 2023. However, the mammoth endeavor has been in the works for the longest period. The company has also suggested that resurrected mammoths may play a crucial role in slowing down permafrost thawing, offering hope for the future of the Arctic environment.
As Church and his team continue to push the boundaries of genetic engineering, the prospect of witnessing the rebirth of these long-extinct species grows closer. Stay tuned as Colossal Biosciences embarks on this unprecedented journey of de-extinction.
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