Is the woolly mammoth, an iconic creature from the Ice Age, primed for a comeback.

Scientists are aiming to genetically modify Asian elephants to survive in the Arctic, with the goal of creating a close relative of the woolly mammoth. This ambitious project is being pursued by the de-extinction startup Colossal Biosciences. The company recently achieved a significant breakthrough by successfully coaxing Asian elephant cells into an embryonic-like state, a process similar to that depicted in "Jurassic Park." These induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could eventually be developed into various cell types, including sperm and eggs, necessary for the project.

However, this endeavor comes with numerous challenges, such as making critical changes to the elephant genome and finding a suitable habitat for these modified animals. Despite these hurdles, Colossal remains optimistic about the project's potential impact on wildlife conservation and scientific research. The successful derivation of iPSCs from Asian elephants marks a significant milestone, with implications for understanding developmental biology, genetic traits, and disease resistance in both modern and extinct species.While elephants have proven to be challenging to reprogram, this achievement opens doors for future studies on endangered species and provides valuable insights into developmental biology. The collaboration between scientists at Colossal Biosciences and beyond underscores the importance of innovative approaches in tackling complex scientific challenges.