"Researchers at Colossal Biosciences in Texas have successfully made chickens capable of carrying eggs filled with reconstructed dodo DNA. They did this by removing what are known as primordial germ cells, a type of stem cell that develop into either sperm or eggs. The team also created primordial germ cells from Nicobar pigeons, the dodo's closet genetic relative. Scientists at the American institute are planning on editing these pigeon cells with dodo DNA, before transferring them to the chickens"
"Dodos were hunted into extinction in the 17th century. It gets its name from the Portuguese word for 'fool', after colonialists mocked its apparent lack of fear of human hunters. It also became prey for cats, dogs and pigs that had been brought with sailors exploring the Indian Ocean. Because the species lived in isolation on Mauritius for hundreds of years, the bird was fearless, and its inability to fly made it easy prey."
Researchers at Colossal Biosciences in Texas edited chickens to enable them to carry eggs containing reconstructed dodo DNA. The procedure involved removing primordial germ cells from chickens and creating primordial germ cells from Nicobar pigeons, the dodo's closest genetic relative. The plan is to edit the pigeon-derived germ cells with dodo DNA, transfer them into chickens, and produce eggs that could hatch birds genetically similar to dodos. The dodo was hunted to extinction in the 17th century after exposure to humans and introduced predators; a few remains survive in museums.
Read at Mail Online
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