AMR Future Brief| Latest Developments in De-Extinction and Paleogenomics: Can Cloning and Genome-Editing Techniques Revive Extinct Animals?
Scientists and researchers studying the evolutionary history of the Earth have always been fascinated by theories about how life started on this planet. Over the years, multiple such hypotheses have come up including the one proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. To examine the authenticity of these theories and hypotheses, several studies and scientific fields have emerged which specifically focus on studying the evolution of plants and animals over the past 3 billion years. De-extinction science is one such scientific discipline that involves creating new versions of plants and animals that have gone extinct. In the past few decades, as awareness regarding the environment and ecology has increased, even environmentalists have started taking part in studies related to de-extinction.?
Understanding the efficacy of cloning in reviving extinct species?
De-extinction science, a branch of evolutionary biology and paleogenomics, involves restructuring the DNA of an extinct organism and using that DNA to create new versions of that species which has similar characteristics. In recent times, new technologies have been developed that can help scientists bring back extinct animals, reestablish healthy ecosystems, and restore biodiversity globally. Out of these technologies, cloning is the most widely preferred methodology. In cloning, the nucleus from the preserved cell of an extinct species is shifted to the cell of the species’ nearest living relative. However, one major problem with this technology is that it can be done only in the case of closely related species. Secondly, the preserved cell of the extinct organism must be available from which the nucleus can be extracted. Hence, generally, only those organisms that have gone extinct in the recent past can be revived through this technique.?
The bucardo goat was the first ever extinct animal to be brought to life using the cloning technique. In 2003, Spanish and French scientists took the cell samples of the last surviving individual of Bucardo, a mountain goat, for cloning purposes. The nuclei from these cell samples were injected into the cell eggs of Spanish goats. While the nuclei were implanted into 57 eggs, only 7 of these goats could become pregnant, and eventually, six of them miscarried. Finally, one of these pregnancies was a success and a female bucardo was born. However, due to certain lung defects, the newborn clone could survive for only 10 minutes. Though the experiment could not successfully resurrect an extinct species, cloning gained legitimacy as a credible technology that could help achieve the goal of de-extinction.?
Paleogenomics and CRISPR technology for de-extinction of species?
Apart from cloning, many paleologists have suggested the use of genome editing techniques and paleogenomics to revive extinct species. CRISPR/Cas9 has gained significant popularity as a method for species restoration. In 2021, George Church, a prominent Harvard researcher specializing in paleogenomics and Ben Lamm, a serial entrepreneur, came together to establish an innovative research facility called Colossal Biosciences. Considered the first de-extinction company, the research foundation is focused on resurrecting extinct animals and restoring global biodiversity. One of the major projects that have been initiated by Colossal Biosciences is the de-extinction of the woolly mammoth, a mammoth species that lived in the tundra regions of Siberia until 4,000 years ago. The researchers at Colossal Biosciences are using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology for the project.?
The technology involves modifying a living organism’s genetic code by deleting, replacing, or adding a DNA sequence. Such alteration can result in changes in the physical characteristics of the individual such as eye color, immunity, hair color, teeth texture, etc. In the genome editing procedure, CRISPR acts as a guide that helps researchers target the specific location on a genome and alter the code with precision. Along with this, scientists also use a protein called Cas9 which performs the function of a molecular scissor for cutting or adding a DNA sequence to the genome. Using such techniques in paleogenomics, scientists are trying to alter the genetic code of Asiatic elephant samples and insert traits of woolly mammoth in them. With the help of CRISPR and Cas9 technology, the edited genome will be sequenced and replicated to produce the desired cell.??
In summary?
To conclude, de-extinction is a rather nascent field of evolutionary biology and paleogenomics. In the past few years, various geneticists, evolutionary scientists, and environmentalists have proposed the revival of extinct species for reestablishing healthy ecosystems and restoring global biodiversity. For this, cloning and genome editing techniques have become the most widely preferred methods for resurrecting extinct organisms.?
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? **?????????????? ????????????: Akhilesh Prabhugaonkar?
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