Colossal unveils 'woolly mice' with multiplex edits producing mammoth-like hair

Colossal Biosciences/Woolly mammoth

Colossal said it edited about 10 genes in mice to give them mammoth-like traits: long, woolly, gold-colored hair and faster fat metabolism. Of nearly 250 edited embryos, 38 pups were born with the intended coat traits, demonstrating the viability of multiplex edits planned for mammoth-like elephants.

• Genes edited: ~10 in mice to introduce mammoth-like phenotype.
• Traits produced: long woolly hair, gold coloring, accelerated fat metabolism.
• Birth rate: 38 of ~250 embryos (15%); 100% of born pups showed intended traits.
• Approach validates multiplex gene editing strategy for larger de-extinction projects.