Colossal sequences the full Asian elephant genome, the base for its mammoth edits

Colossal Biosciences/Woolly mammoth

Colossal and the Vertebrate Genomes Project sequenced the Asian elephant genome end to end, chromosome to chromosome, with only 59 gaps—one of the highest-quality mammal genomes produced. The Asian elephant shares 99.6% of its DNA with the woolly mammoth, so this is the reference Colossal edits toward mammoth traits.

• Telomere-to-telomere (T2T) sequencing with 59 gaps; most mammal genomes have thousands.
• 99.6% sequence homology between Asian elephant and woolly mammoth; direct template for cold-adaptation edits.
• Colossal aims to engineer mammoth traits (small ears, thick fur, body fat) into elephant, creating functional cold-adapted hybrid.
• Collaboration with Vertebrate Genomes Project; sequencing released as foundation for de-extinction biology.