Colossal Biosciences Edges Closer To Reviving The Woolly Mammoth With "Woolly Mice"
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Colossal Biosciences is on a quest to bring back the woolly mammoth. On March 1, 2025, the Texas-based startup came one step closer to its goal with the creation of genetically-modified "woolly mice." Featuring thick, golden fur and curled whiskers, the rodents have characteristics similar to those of the woolly mammoth.
The team, led by Beth Shapiro, started by finding the genes that made mammoths unique. To do this, they compared ancient mammoth DNA to that of African and Asian elephants, their closest living relatives. Key differences included genes linked to long, woolly hair and fat metabolism. Both were crucial for surviving the cold weather. Next, they searched for similar genes in mice that affect things like coat thickness, color, and fat storage.
The team then used gene-editing tools to modify seven genes in mice. Six were related to hair growth, texture, and metabolism. The result? Adorable mice with thick, woolly coats. These rodents also developed fat deposits similar to those that helped mammoths endure frigid weather. However, it is unclear whether they can withstand cold better than regular mice. The scientists plan to test this in the coming months.
The woolly mice are a great start to the company's goal of reviving the woolly mammoth, but many challenges remain. While the gene-editing tools worked on mice, they are not advanced enough to work on elephants. For example, unlike rodents, elephants have sparse hair. This will make it much more difficult to genetically modify them for a woolly coat.
Critics argue that even if Colossal succeeds, the result will not be a true woolly mammoth. Instead, it would be a modified elephant with mammoth-like traits. Whether the company's vision becomes a reality remains to be seen. For now, creating woolly mice is an exciting milestone.
"For us, it's an incredibly big deal," Shapiro said.
Resources: NPR.com, Livescience.com, Colossal.com
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78 Comments
- caseoh17 dayswait, in mexico, or south america or any other place close to the equator it will be too hot for the wooly mammoths to live i so im safe
- caseoh17 daysI'm moving to the moon if these ppl bring back a woolly mammoth
ilovehenrydsaf3 monthsI really love rats and mice, and these lil fellas? They're so fluffy. I wish my mother would let me get a mouse.- bopezigi-1674068294744 monthsi really like this very cute and interesting enjoyed this topic
- zemyjicoluda6 monthsso cute I want on so bad
ilovekuromi_12310 monthsif they bring these back,they most likely wont be friendly,ice age all over again- ilovehenrydsaf3 monthsWell, our ice age ancestors hunted these beasts. Surely we'll manage. Besides, even if its not through brute strength, we have incredibly advanced technology and artillery. So like.. Even if something does go wrong, we still have effective ways to defend ourselves.
- the_avaitor10 monthswhat if it fails and we make dangerous monsters out of this one
- the_avaitor10 monthsi feel like this is gonna fail so bad
- tmussels10 monthsThis is going to become jurassic park pt2
icefresh10 monthsI want one so bad !!!!
