In a groundbreaking development, the $1.5 billion startup, Colossal Biosciences, is making significant progress in its mission to bring back the woolly mammoth from extinction. The company recently announced a breakthrough in creating reprogrammed elephant stem cells, which could potentially pave the way for the resurrection of this iconic species. Led by Harvard genetics professor George Church, the project aims to not only revive lost species but also protect endangered ones from the effects of the climate crisis.
The creation of reprogrammed elephant stem cells is considered a momentous achievement with far-reaching implications. Ben Lamm, the CEO of Colossal Biosciences, describes it as a significant step towards unlocking various fields of research, including the production of building blocks for a mammoth baby. The company’s ambitious plans extend beyond the woolly mammoth; they also aim to revive other extinct species like the dodo.
Colossal Biosciences envisions the creation of a mammoth-like creature through in vitro fertilization (IVF) by 2028. This breakthrough could also have positive implications for the study of living elephants, which are notoriously difficult to study in a laboratory setting. By learning how to reprogram elephant cells, scientists can gain valuable insights into endangered species and contribute to their conservation efforts.
Stem cells play a crucial role in this groundbreaking research. Stem cells are unique because they have the ability to evolve into various cell types, such as bones, hair, skin, and organs. However, programming these cells requires bathing them in a complex mixture of chemicals that guide them towards their final cell type, a process known as differentiation. While scientists have been successful in reprogramming stem cells from various species, elephant stem cells have proven to be particularly resistant to this process.
After extensive experimentation and tweaking of the chemical composition, Colossal Biosciences has finally achieved success in reprogramming elephant stem cells. This breakthrough opens up new avenues for understanding the genetic makeup of mammoths and the ability to recreate specific traits, such as hair and cold-busting fat storage, in a laboratory setting. The team is particularly excited about the prospect of growing elephant gametes (sperm and egg cells) in a dish, which could potentially eliminate the need for harvesting them from live elephants.
Vincent Lynch, a developmental biologist and associate professor at the University at Buffalo, believes that turning these reprogrammed stem cells into sperm and eggs could lead to in vitro fertilization and eventually surrogacy. While these methods are still in development, Lynch is confident that they will become a reality in the near future. Additionally, this research could provide valuable insights into the complex process of elephant gestation and help scientists better understand how elephants carry their babies.
Despite these significant advancements, it’s important to note that the creation of baby mammoths is not imminent. The next challenge for the team at Colossal Biosciences is to figure out how to transform these reprogrammed elephant stem cells into cells from the extinct woolly mammoth species. However, with each breakthrough, the company moves closer to its long-term goal of bringing back this iconic species.
The work being done by Colossal Biosciences represents a remarkable intersection of science, genetics, and conservation. By reviving extinct species like the woolly mammoth, scientists hope to not only restore biodiversity but also gain valuable insights into the past and potentially mitigate the effects of the current climate crisis. While there are still many challenges ahead, the progress made so far is undeniably exciting and paves the way for a future where extinct species may once again roam the Earth.