Colossal announced on Tuesday that its scientists have successfully edited seven genes in mice embryos, resulting in mice with long, thick, woolly hair. This achievement has been named the “Colossal woolly mouse,” though the results have not yet been published in a journal or reviewed by independent scientists. The use of new technologies like CRISPR has made genetic engineering in mice more efficient and easier.
The scientists at Colossal identified genes related to hair texture and fat metabolism by reviewing DNA databases of mouse genes and combined them in a single mouse. These traits were selected based on their potential relationship to cold tolerance, a quality necessary for survival on the prehistoric Arctic steppe, where woolly mammoths roamed. Colossal’s chief scientist, Beth Shapiro, noted that these genetic variations already exist in some mice.
The focus on mice was an initial step to confirm the efficiency of the editing process before potentially moving on to edit the embryos of Asian elephants, the closest living relatives to woolly mammoths. However, due to the endangered status of Asian elephants, there are significant regulatory processes and obstacles that must be overcome before any progress can be made. Colossal has raised significant funding for its research and continues to explore the possibilities of genetic engineering in the conservation and revival of extinct species.
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