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What evidence can scientists use to reconstruct the DNA sequences of extinct animals?
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de-extinction
The woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)—represented here by a replica in a Canadian museum—is an example of an extinct species that someday could be resurrected through de-extinction.
To reconstruct the DNA sequences of extinct animals, scientists rely on several key sources of biological evidence and advanced technological methods:
- Preserved Biological Specimens: Researchers isolate and analyze DNA from various remains, including bones, hair, and other tissues found in the fossil record. In cases like the woolly mammoth, carcasses preserved in permafrost have provided high-quality genetic material, allowing for the collection and sequencing of ancient DNA.12
- Genetic Inference and Reconstruction: Advances in genetics allow scientists to infer and reconstruct genetic sequences even from poorly preserved or cryopreserved specimens. By comparing these reconstructed sequences against those of extant (living) species, researchers can identify specific genes that are candidates for genome editing.1
- Comparative Genomics: By using comparative genomics, scientists study the similarities and differences between the genomes of extinct species and their closest living relatives. This process, often facilitated by software tools like BLAST, helps identify evolutionary divergence and conserved regions of DNA.3
These methods enable the use of synthetic biology tools, such as CRISPR, to potentially modify the genomes of living species to reflect traits of their extinct ancestors.1