Bringing back extinct species might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but scientists are working to make it a reality.
A biotech company called Colossal Biosciences is on a mission to revive the woolly mammoth by 2028, according to WP.
To take a step toward this goal, researchers have successfully modified the genes of a mouse to give it long, thick fur similar to that of the prehistoric giant.
Colossal’s team has identified the specific genes that gave mammoths their thick coats and adapted them for use in mice.
The result is a "woolly mouse" with fur three times longer than normal. This breakthrough demonstrates that genetic modifications can recreate traits that disappeared with extinct animals.
The scientists used advanced gene-editing techniques to modify seven key genes in the mouse.
These changes altered the hair growth cycle, causing the mouse to develop longer and denser fur.
The experiment is an important step in figuring out how to help an elephant, the mammoth’s closest living relative, survive in cold climates.
Understanding which genes control fur thickness and other adaptations will be crucial for creating a mammoth-like elephant.
To achieve this, Colossal is comparing the DNA of mammoths with that of Asian elephants.
Their goal is not to recreate an exact copy of a mammoth but to engineer an animal capable of thriving in modern Arctic environments.
Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s lead scientist, explains that the company’s focus goes beyond just bringing back extinct animals.
Their research is aimed at restoring lost ecological interactions. Large herbivores like mammoths once played a key role in maintaining Arctic ecosystems by trampling snow and helping grasslands flourish.
Scientists believe reintroducing a similar species could have positive environmental effects.
Colossal Biosciences isn’t stopping with mammoths. The company also plans to revive other extinct species, including the dodo and the thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger.
They are developing gene-editing tools that could help not only in de-extinction efforts but also in wildlife conservation and even medicine.
The project raises many ethical and practical questions, but researchers believe their work could benefit global ecosystems.
Bringing back extinct species might sound like a dream, but science is getting closer to making it happen.
