Mammoths

[ysabetwordsmith]

First ever 3D reconstruction of 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth chromosomes thanks to serendipitously freeze-dried skin

An international research team has assembled the genome and 3D chromosomal structures of a 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth -- the first time such a feat has been achieved for any ancient DNA sample. The fossilized chromosomes, which are around a million times longer than most ancient DNA fragments, provide insight into how the mammoth's genome was organized within its living cells and which genes were active within the skin tissue from which the DNA was extracted. This unprecedented level of structural detail was retained because the mammoth underwent freeze-drying shortly after it died, which meant that its DNA was preserved in a glass-like state.


This is so exciting! :D 3q3q3q!!!!

Not only is it useful for de-extinction efforts, it alerts scientists to look for a new type of preserved remains that may exist for other species, mainly those that share mammoths' preferences for cold dry climates.

Comments

[siliconshaman]

No, no.. a dead Lamia! Not a Dalai Lama!

[acelightning73]

Most of the better-known lineages of Lamas are reincarnated for every generation. Other Lamas practice divination to determine who, where, and when a new incarnation is born, so they can take the child to Lhasa to be educated for the position. Analyzing the DNA of previous incarnations might teach us something about the reincarnation procedure.

[siliconshaman]

and the Myans had similar beliefs about reincarnation as the Tibetans. But they preserved their Lamas by sacrificing them to the mountain gods, ie, sending them up the mountain to freeze to death and thus remain preserved for eternity.

Now you get my point!!