🧬 Reviving the mammoth is getting closer

• Colossal Biosciences has succeeded in creating elephant cells that can be reprogrammed into various cell types, including those required to create a mammoth.
• This success opens new possibilities for research around extinct species and the conservation of endangered species.
• The breakthrough is considered to have great potential for biological science, including studies on cell development and species conservation.

Key to reviving a lost giant

Colossal Biosciences, a company working to revive the woolly mammoth, has taken a significant step forward in its project. By creating elephant cells that can be reprogrammed into various cell types, including those needed to create a mammoth, the team has overcome a significant challenge in the science of de-extinction.

George Church, a renowned genetics professor at Harvard, leads the project.

Creating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from elephant cells was a challenge that researchers have long struggled with. These cells are particularly important because they can develop into almost any cell type in the body, opening doors to extensive research opportunities and treatment methods.

With the success in reprogramming these cells, Colossal has not only shown that the de-extinction of the mammoth is possible but also that the same technology can be applied to conserve endangered species. This means possibilities for research in cell development, cell therapy, drug screening, and synthetic embryos.

The future of de-extinction

Beyond understanding and recreating the physical characteristics of the woolly mammoth, such as hair growth and the ability to store fat to withstand cold, Colossal is also exploring the possibility of creating elephant gametes in the laboratory. This would allow fertilization and development of embryos without the need to extract cells from living elephants.

This step is considered critical for future efforts to not only reintroduce the mammoth but also other extinct species. While the goal of creating a living woolly mammoth still lies a bit into the future, this is a milestone on the path there.

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