| Colossal Biosciences Makes Breakthrough in Mammoth Resurrection Project |
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| Colossal Biosciences, the pioneering organization dedicated to the resurrection of extinct species, has recently announced a major development in the Mammont Resurrection project. Co-founded by technological entrepreneur Ben Lamm and renowned geneticist George Cherch, the startup is working on creating a genetically modified Asian elephant with key biological traits and cold resistance similar to its extinct relative. |
| While the resulting creature will not be an exact replica of the mammoth, it will closely resemble it and thrive in comparable ecosystems. Apart from mammoths, Colossal is also involved in the resurrection efforts of Tasmanian tigers and Dodos. |
| A significant milestone achieved by the organization is the successful methodology for deriving induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC) from elephants. These cells have the potential to endlessly multiply and differentiate into various cell types within an organism, making them crucial for species “rebirth” projects. |
| “We knew that the mammoth resurrection project would pose challenges, but we have assembled the finest team dedicated to this mission,” stated Ben Lamm. “This progress is a major leap forward, which we are proud to share with the scientific community. Each advancement brings us closer to our ultimate objective of reintroducing this species.” |
| IPSC were initially derived from mouse cells in the mid-2000s and later from human cells. While they have been successfully obtained for various animal species, including cows, goats, horses, and others, elephants posed a unique challenge. |
| “Past attempts to obtain IPSC from elephants have been unsuccessful. Elephants possess distinct biological characteristics, and our understanding of their biology is still evolving,” explained Erion Hisoli, head of biological sciences at Colossal. |
| A recent study, not yet peer-reviewed but available on the open-access server Biorxiv, showcased the first documented success in deriving IPSC from elephants. “This achievement is significant as the reprogramming formula used for many other species did not work for elephants. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities in genetic and biotechnological advancements,” shared Hisoli. |
| Colossal Biosciences’ progress in the resurrection of extinct species signifies a groundbreaking development in modern genetics and biotechnology, offering new prospects for scientific exploration and conservation efforts. |
/Reports, release notes, official announcements.