Startup creates woolly mice as a step toward bringing back long-extinct mammoths https://t.co/eMW7DOxLwl ...

Core Insights - The cloning industry is experiencing contraction, highlighted by Colossal Biosciences' acquisition of ViaGen Pets and Equine, marking its first acquisition since its inception in 2021 [1][4] Company Overview - Colossal Biosciences, based in Texas, is recognized for its controversial de-extinction projects aimed at recovering extinct species, including a claim of having "brought back" dire wolves through DNA modification [2] - The company has garnered significant interest from investors, raising $120 million to pursue the resurrection of the dodo, enhancing its genetic capabilities with the acquisition of ViaGen [3] Acquisition Details - ViaGen, established in 2002, will maintain its leadership and focus on expanding its cloning activities for endangered species post-acquisition [5] - The acquisition grants Colossal access to ViaGen's exclusive licensing of breakthrough technologies from the Roslin Institute, known for cloning Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal [5] Strategic Implications - The partnership with ViaGen is seen as a significant opportunity for Colossal to leverage advanced cloning and cryopreservation techniques to further its de-extinction and species restoration goals [6]

De-extinction Project & Biodiversity - Biodiversity is projected to decrease by 27% in vertebrates by 2050 [1] - Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences claims to have brought back an extinct species of wolf, the direwolf [2] - Colossal aims to resurrect extinct species by generating organisms resembling and genetically similar to them, focusing on core genes [8] - Colossal plans to reintroduce woolly mammoths by 2028, along with projects involving the thylacine and dodo bird [15] Direwolf Project Details - Colossal used gene editing and cloning from ancient samples (13,000-year-old tooth and 72,000-year-old skull) to recreate direwolf pups [4] - Colossal identified 20 differences in 14 genes between grey wolf and direwolf genomes, accounting for distinguishing characteristics [5] - Direwolves existed from approximately 4 million years ago to 10,000 years ago, growing up to 178 cm and weighing 59-68 kg [9][10] - CRISPR technology was used to edit the genes, with five genes changed solely for the white coat characteristic [11][13] Species Definition & Project Validity - The definition of species involves interbreeding, while Colossal uses the morphological species concept (if they look like the animal, they are the animal) [6][7] - Greywolves are genetically more similar to jackals and African wild dogs than to direwolves [10] - Colossal currently has no plans for breeding the direwolves, which impacts the ability to determine if they can produce fertile offspring [14]

Company Overview - Colossal Biosciences is a genetic engineering company focused on de-extinction of species like the direwolf and woolly mammoth [2] - Colossal aims to undo past human actions that led to extinction [3] De-extinction Technology - De-extinction involves extracting DNA from ancient remains and editing genes of current relatives to create embryos or eggs of extinct animals [3] - Peter Jackson, director of Lord of the Rings, is partnering with Colossal and providing access to 300-400 Moa bones [4] Moa Bird Project - The Moa was a 13.5 ft (approximately 4.11 meters), 500 lb (approximately 226.8 kilograms) giant bird native to New Zealand, with nine known species [1] - Humanity hunted the Moa to extinction approximately 600 years ago [2] - The goal is to provide the resurrected Moa with a natural environment [4] Conservation and Ethical Considerations - Ecologists raise concerns about potential risks associated with de-extinction technologies and the release of resurrected species into the environment [5] - Colossal believes bringing back extinct species can highlight the biodiversity crisis [5]