Woolly mammoth cells ‘show signs of activity’ after being implanted into MICE, scientists reveal

CELLS from a woolly mammoth that died 28,000 years ago have begun to show signs of biological activity after they were implanted into MICE.

The research, published in Scientific Reports, details how a well-preserved woolly mammoth named Yuka, found in 2011 in the Siberian permafrost, has begun to show some activity.

"This suggests that, despite the years that have passed, cell activity can still happen and parts of it can be recreated," Kei Miyamoto, a member of the team that conducted the work, said in an interview with AFP.

"Until now many studies have focused on analysing fossil DNA and not whether they still function," Miyamoto added.

While some evidence of biological processes were seen, the damage the elements had on the cells are not enough for bringing the mammoth back to life.

This means we are unlikely to see any kind of "Jurassic Park-style resurrection" that many have hoped for, Miyamoto said.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

He added: "We have also learned that damage to cells was very profound.

“We are yet to see even cell divisions. I have to say we are very far from recreating a mammoth."

Woolly mammoths went extinct more than 4,000 years ago, with some scientists believing they died off from the changing climate and human hunters.

Despite Miyamoto's comments, some researchers are attempting to bring the mammoth back with the use of gene editing.

Harvard and MIT geneticist George Church is the head of the Harvard Woolly Mammoth Revival team which is attempting to introduce mammoth genes into the Asian elephant for conservation purposes.