The leading laboratories of the world are actively engaged in “biology Resurrection” – attempts to revive individual molecules and more complex organisms. This direction is significantly different from the creation of genetically modified dinosaurs, as in the film “Park of the Jurassic period”, but for some scientists the ultimate goal is to return to the life of extinct animals and plants.
One of the areas being explored is the study of the potential threat to health posed by ancient viruses, which could be activated due to eternal permafrost in the Arctic. In 2014, Professor Jean-Michel Klaveri from the University of Ex-Marcel, France, successfully revived a virus that had been dormant in eternal permafrost for 30,000 years. Recent studies by Professor Klaveri have revealed that ancient viruses still retain their infectious capacity and have successfully infected amoeba, posing a serious threat to public health.
In a different line of research, scientists are focusing on finding new antibiotics by delving into the ice age. Cesar de la Fuente from the University of Pennsylvania employs computational methods to analyze ancient DNA, discovering molecules that exhibit potential bactericidal activity. This discovery opens up new possibilities in the fight against drug-resistant pathogens.
The biotechnological company Colossal Biosciences has announced its plans to resurrect the Dodo, woolly mammoth, and Tasmanian wolf. These projects utilize the advancements in ancient DNA sequencing, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology. However, it is important to note that recreating an exact replica of these extinct animals is impossible; instead, these will be hybrid forms.
In Denmark, the Mousgor Museum has successfully recreated the smell of the balm used for mummification 3,500 years ago by employing modern analytical methods. Research conducted by the museum has revealed that the balms contained beeswax, vegetable oils, animal fats, resins, and bitumen. This discovery further confirms the high social status of the ancient Egyptian noblewoman, Senneta, whose remains were found in the tombs of the Kings Valley.
This research showcases how science and technology are opening new horizons for understanding the past and addressing modern problems by combining history, archaeology, and biotechnology.