A remarkable discovery was made in Siberia when a 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth skin was unearthed intact from permafrost. This incredible find, captured in a photo taken on September 5, 2018, courtesy of Stockholm University, sheds light on the ancient past.
Around 52,000 years ago, the skin of a Siberian woolly mammoth underwent a unique preservation process due to the extreme cold, resulting in a freeze-dried state that preserved its DNA fragments. Scientists have utilized this well-preserved sample to reconstruct the mammoth’s genome in three dimensions, offering new insights into extinct species and potential advancements in de-extinction efforts.
Published in the journal Cell, the study reveals a breakthrough in ancient DNA research, showcasing the preservation of DNA fragments in their original arrangement. This discovery challenges previous limitations of fragmented DNA samples, opening doors to a deeper understanding of genetic information from the past.
Co-author Olga Dudchenko, a geneticist at Baylor College of Medicine, highlighted the significance of this finding in unraveling the 3D architecture of an organism’s genome. By studying the complete DNA set, researchers can uncover the genetic activity in different tissues, providing insights into various biological functions.
Contrary to previous assumptions about the degradation of ancient DNA, this discovery proves that valuable genetic information can be preserved over millennia. The implications of this research extend beyond the woolly mammoth, offering a glimpse into the potential of unlocking genetic mysteries from the distant past.
Published on 2024-07-14 07:15:02
Article from phys.org
