Scientists at Colossal Biosciences have created a genetically modified woolly mouse, displaying key characteristics of the extinct woolly mammoth.
The lab mouse, though tiny, has curly whiskers and wavy, light fur that grows three times longer than that of an ordinary mouse, embodying several mammoth-like features.
The Dallas-based biotechnology company is leading efforts to resurrect mammoths and other extinct species by using cutting-edge genetic engineering. This genetically modified mouse represents a critical step in validating the techniques used to resurrect physical traits lost to extinction.
The woolly mouse will be studied to test the genetic links between specific sequences and traits that helped mammoths survive in cold environments.
Dr. Beth Shapiro, Chief Science Officer at Colossal, stated, “This is an important step towards restoring traits lost to extinction, helping us understand the genetic modifications needed for species like the mammoth.”
To create the woolly mouse, Colossal’s scientists identified genetic variants found in mammoths and their closest living relatives, the Asian elephant.
The team used gene-editing techniques to alter hair length, texture, colour, and body fat in the lab mouse, creating a species with shaggy hair, wavy coats, and golden fur.
Despite the exciting genetic progress, critics remain cautious about the implications of resurrecting extinct species. Some experts argue that while the creation of genetically modified animals could yield valuable insights, there are still many unanswered questions about how these traits might apply to larger species like elephants.
Colossal plans to use the woolly mouse to test hypotheses related to the genetic traits that enabled the mammoth to thrive in the Arctic.
The company aims to create hybrid animals that could help combat climate change by reintroducing mammoth-like creatures to the Arctic, a plan that has drawn both support and skepticism.
The team’s ultimate goal is to reintroduce woolly mammoths to their natural habitat, with Colossal previously claiming that the first woolly mammoth calves could be born as early as 2028.
However, some experts question whether creating a mammoth-like animal is truly possible given the incomplete understanding of the mammoth’s genome and how it can be applied to modern species.
Credits: Colossal Biosciences
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