2025-03-04 17:55:09

Genetic Breakthrough: Woolly Mice Resurrect Mammoth Traits

Image courtesy of : (Foto: Colossal Biosciences/dpa)

Scientists from Colossal Biosciences, alongside Harvard's George Church, have engineered woolly mice with mammoth-like fur using advanced genome editing. By altering key genes found in mammoths and elephants, the researchers aimed to demonstrate the potential for de-extincting species. They focused on genes affecting hair texture and metabolism, achieving longer, denser fur resembling mammoth pelage.

This project is part of a larger initiative to potentially bring back the woolly mammoth by 2028, with financial backing from notable figures like Paris Hilton and Peter Jackson. Though the creation of these mice is a significant scientific milestone, experts caution that applying similar techniques to elephants presents considerable challenges. The gestation period of elephants and ethical concerns complicate the process.

While the woolly mice exhibit the desired phenotypes, their actual cold tolerance remains untested. Some scientists express reservations about the practicality and ethics of such experiments, raising questions about resource allocation. Nonetheless, Colossal Biosciences views this achievement as a promising step toward reviving extinct species, with plans extending beyond mammoths to other lost animals like the Tasmanian tiger and dodo. Despite skepticism, the endeavor marks a noteworthy advancement in genetic engineering.

The Guardian
4. März 2025 um 13:13

Scientists aiming to bring back woolly mammoth create woolly mice

Technology
While Colossal Biosciences' creation of genetically modified woolly mice is a technical achievement, experts express concerns about whether this is the best use of resources. They also note the lack of results demonstrating the mice's actual cold tolerance, which was the justification for the work.
EL PAÍS
4. März 2025 um 13:15

Woolly mice that 'revive' mammoth genes created

Technology
Colossal, an American company, has created woolly mice that 'revive' mammoth genes. George Church, a biologist at Harvard University and co-founder of Colossal, claims that this demonstrates that they can design genetic adaptations with implications for de-extinction. Love Dalén, a geneticist at Stockholm University and a scientific advisor to Colossal, explains that the goal is to edit a smaller number of key genes to create a 'mammotheized' elephant. These woolly mice are a preliminary step..
DER SPIEGEL
4. März 2025 um 13:10

Woolly mice from the gene lab: Are the mammoths coming back? - DER SPIEGEL

Technology
Economy
A start-up has produced genetically modified mice that look like mammoths. They are touted as a milestone on the path to the resurrection of the mammoths.
tz
4. März 2025 um 13:09

Woolly Mammoth-Like Mice from Gene Lab - Step Towards the Return of the Mammoth?

Technology
Genetic researchers in the USA have developed woolly-haired mice with mammoth-like fur. The team from Colossal Biosciences, led by Harvard researcher George Church, first analyzed the genomes of 121 different mammoths and elephants. From this, they selected 10 genes for hair texture and fat metabolism to make the mice more cold-resistant. They achieved the golden-yellow fur color by modifying the MC1R gene, which produces melanin. A modification of the FGF5 gene ensures longer hair. However, T..
CW

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