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Scientists Reconstruct 3D Genome of 52,000-Year-Old Woolly Mammoth

Breakthrough reveals unprecedented details about the extinct animal's genetics and opens new avenues for paleogenomic research.

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Researchers examine the mammoth skin after it was excavated from permafrost.
52,000-year-old wooly mammoth skin after it was excavated from permafrost. The Cell study shows that fossils of ancient chromosomes survive in the skin.

Overview

  • Researchers found the first fossil chromosomes in a well-preserved mammoth skin sample from Siberia.
  • The 3D genome structure provides insights into which genes were active before the mammoth died.
  • This discovery could aid in the potential de-extinction of woolly mammoths and other species.
  • The study used a modified Hi-C technique to maintain the DNA's three-dimensional structure.
  • Scientists believe the method could be applied to other ancient specimens, including mummies.