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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71 Comments
victorbags813 monthsWell they are basically regular elephants with fur, and elephants don't cause much damage.
skzlove3 monthsi don't think they should try to "bring them back" it could be dangerous, plus, it died for a reason, like dinosaurs, they would destroy a lot. jurassic world taught us these experiments never go as planned.... but the mice are so cute tho
artsyninja2 monthsTotally true.
thefortnite_kid3 monthsvery true
gywyvecohyli3 monthsIt's not the dinosaurs; it's actually how they kept them, which ones they made. They could have made them all vegetarian!- lucaii3 monthsThey shouldn't be brought back, at least not yet... They would need freezing temperatures and we can't easily provide that yet. It would be a wasted effort, so I don't think that it's worth it.
abbyluvsu3 monthsYeah but also some animals do well in the winter while some don't
tigrsfanbob09093 monthscool- kimagycizyfo3 monthsomg awwh so cuteeee
- keduwaja-1702302744643 monthsRat is the most beautiful thing
- abbyluvsu3 monthsReal!
- sesojywefura3 monthstheir so cute
- victorbags813 monthscan you have them as pets now?
200169513 monthsAHHHHH!!! SOOO CUTE- 200169513 monthsi would LOVE one as a pet too!!!
- 200169513 monthsOMG!!!! THESE WOLLY MICE ARE SOOOO CUTE!!!