De-extinction of the woolly mammoth takes a major step forward

Scientists reconstruct the chromosomes of a 52,000-year-old creature - and it could allow them to resurrect the lost species

BY Xantha Leatham
  • An unusually well-preserved specimen was excavated in Siberia in 2018
  • Scientists have assembled a reconstruction of the extinct species’ chromosomes

Experts are a step closer to bringing the woolly mammoth back to life thanks to the first ever 3D reconstruction of chromosomes collected from ancient skin.

Around 52,000 years ago, a woolly mammoth happened to be freeze-dried by the weather just after it died, preserving its DNA in a glass-like state. The unusually well-preserved specimen was excavated in northeastern Siberia in 2018, allowing a team of international scientists to analyse its skin tissue.

Now, they have successfully assembled a detailed reconstruction of the extinct species’ chromosomes – thread-like structures that are made up of DNA. This is the first time scientists have been able to do this from such an ancient sample.

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