Home / Science / Siberian Permafrost Yields Mammoth RNA, Reviving De-Extinction Hopes
Siberian Permafrost Yields Mammoth RNA, Reviving De-Extinction Hopes
15 Nov
Summary
- 39,000-year-old woolly mammoth RNA discovered
- Oldest RNA ever found, twice as old as previous record
- RNA data provides insights into mammoth biology and metabolism
In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers have discovered 39,000-year-old woolly mammoth RNA, the oldest RNA ever found. The discovery was made in one of ten trapped woolly mammoth specimens extracted from the Siberian permafrost.
The RNA data is expected to provide valuable insights into the mammoth's biological functions, including its skeletal muscle metabolism and the expression of its genes. This information could prove crucial in the ongoing efforts to revive the extinct Ice Age giant through "de-extinction" techniques.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Emilio Mármol Sánchez, emphasized that the RNA data can reveal details about the mammoth's genes and their expression that DNA alone cannot provide. This could help scientists better understand the creature's specific traits and adaptations.
The discovery of the ancient RNA, which is twice as old as the previous record, has been hailed as a major step forward in the quest to bring the woolly mammoth back from extinction. While the process of de-extinction remains a complex challenge, this breakthrough has laid the groundwork for future studies that could unlock even more secrets about the iconic Ice Age species.
