Colossal Biosciences (Colossal) has developed genetic engineering and de-extinction technology to genetically resurrect the woolly mammoth by combining its DNA with that of Asian elephants. It utilizes CRISPR/Cas, as well as other genome engineering technologies, to develop a feasible de-extinction model.
CRISPR/Cas system is a powerful technology, used as gene editing tool to selectively modify DNA sequences at any specific location in the genome with far more precision than conventional genome modification technologies. The discovery of this system has revolutionized the development of molecular biology, with lucrative applications in medicine and biotechnology.
CRISPR is a family of DNA sequences found in the genomes of prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria and archaea. These sequences are derived from DNA fragments of bacteriophages that had previously infected the prokaryote. They are used to detect and destroy DNA from similar bacteriophages during subsequent infections.
CRISPR/Cas9 KO Plasmids consists of CAS-specific 20 nt guide RNA sequences derived from the GeCKO (v2) library
For CRISPR gene knockout, gRNA sequences direct the Cas9 protein to induce a site-specific double strand break (DSB) in the genomic DNA
Target-specific CRISPR Plasmids for both gene knockout and activation are available. Please refer to the detailed product information in the tabs below
Gene knockdown or activation can be assayed using CAS Antibody (H-2): sc-271537
Colossal’s landmark de-extinction project will be the resurrection of the Woolly Mammoth – or more specifically a cold-resistant elephant with all of the core biological traits of the Woolly Mammoth.
It will walk like a Woolly Mammoth, look like one, sound like one, but most importantly it will be able to inhabit the same ecosystem previously abandoned by the Mammoth’s extinction.
Bring back the Woolly Mammoth! Colossal will be the first company to use CRISPR technology to de-extinct previously lost species starting with the Mammoth. In the de-extinction process Colossal will build world-class software products for CRISPR and their breakthroughs will have major implications for biotechnology products, treatment of diseases, and genomics.” — Tim Draper