‘Colossal woolly mouse': Discovery brings scientists one step closer to return of woolly mammoth
DALLAS, Texas. (WFLA) — Scientists at biotech company Colossal Biosciences were able to produce genetically modified mice, a successful feat in their ongoing conservation and de-extinction efforts.
Current de-extinction studies focus on genetically modifying closely related animals, like the Asian Elephant, with the cold-adaptive traits of the extinct Mammuthus primigenius, better known as the woolly mammoth.
On Tuesday, Colossal Biosciences made headway when it announced progress by establishing a mouse model of the approach with gene variants that are better suited for tolerating cold and are identifiable key mammoth traits.
In study results posted online, Colossal scientists were able to edit various genes in mouse embryos to produce mice with curly, texturized, golden-brown hair.
Video of the mice shows them petering around the lab with their extra-furry coats on full display.
This species is being dubbed the 'Colossal woolly mouse.'
The full study and its findings were posted online but have yet to be published.
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