Colossal BioSciences genetically engineers mouse with warm coat taken from woolly mammoth’s genes
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Summary
Dallas and Boston-based Colossal Biosciences has genetically engineered the Colossal Woolly Mouse, which has a warm coat thanks to genes taken from the extinct woolly mammoth.
The scientific team has so far only modified seven genes, but the achievement demonstrates how it is feasible to express woolly mammoth traits, and other extinct species, based on computational analysis of ancient DNA.
The company is therefore making progress towards its stated aim of ‘de-extinction’ of species such as the woolly mammoth and thylacine.
The latest breakthrough follows the company’s announcement in December that it had managed to produce cloned elephant-mammoth hybrid embryos, which could one day be used in an attempt to bring the extinct creatures back to life.