Oldest RNA Sequenced from 40,000-Year-Old Woolly Mammoth Specimen

Researchers affiliated with Stockholm University have successfully extracted and sequenced the oldest known ribonucleic acid (RNA) from an ancient specimen, a milestone published on November 14, 2025, in the journal Cell. This analysis of molecular material estimated to be 40,000 years old redefines the known limits of biomolecular preservation over deep time and challenges previous assumptions about RNA's rapid degradation rate.

The source material for the investigation was the woolly mammoth designated Yuka, an exceptionally well-preserved carcass discovered in 2010 by tusk hunters on the Oyogos Yar coast in the Russian Far East. The specimen’s remarkable condition, retaining fur and muscle tissue, was essential for isolating RNA directly from the preserved muscle. This process yielded a molecular snapshot reflecting the animal's gene activity at the time of its death.

Initial analysis of the ancient genetic material indicated distinct markers of acute cellular stress. Scientists hypothesize that Yuka may have been subjected to a predatory attack by cave lions shortly before its demise. Furthermore, the molecular evidence provided a definitive clarification of the specimen's sex, confirming Yuka was male, correcting earlier assumptions based on gross anatomical features.

Lead researcher Emilio Mármol noted that obtaining viable RNA sequences offers a superior pathway to understanding the living biology of extinct megafauna, moving beyond inferences drawn solely from DNA. The ability to study gene expression patterns in extinct species provides functional insights into cellular processes, such as metabolic states or environmental responses, that are inaccessible through DNA analysis alone.

This breakthrough builds upon prior efforts in ancient genetics, which primarily focused on the more stable DNA molecule. The successful sequencing from Yuka suggests that a broader range of molecular information, including transcriptomics, may become accessible for other well-preserved specimens. This advancement positions Stockholm University at the forefront of ancient molecular biology, shifting the focus from species identification to understanding the functional biology of long-vanished organisms.