A new study reveals the oldest known RNA recovered from the 39,000-year-old woolly mammoth Yuka, suggesting RNA can survive far longer than previously thought and enabling direct insights into ancient biology.

RNA sequencing shows active muscle metabolism and cellular stress pathways, consistent with a traumatic death scenario, with microRNAs identified to indicate real-time gene regulation in ancient tissue.

Experts call the result a major technical achievement, while noting its limited broader biological insight and the rarity of such exceptionally preserved samples.

Independent experts highlight the methodological breakthrough and emphasize dependence on exceptional preservation, while suggesting future work could illuminate lifespan, adaptation, and extinction questions in ancient species.

The team carried out strict contamination controls, preserving samples in liquid nitrogen, sterile conditions, filtered air, protective gear, and a controlled lab environment.

The findings are published in Cell on November 14, 2025, with paleogenomics experts weighing in on the breakthrough and its potential to study other extinct species.

No RNA viruses were detected, though researchers anticipate future studies on ice-age RNA viruses.

The approach could extend to other cold, dry-preserved species and may enable comparisons of extinct versus living relatives and inform studies on endangered species’ ancestors.

Context: Woolly mammoths lived during the last Ice Age and vanished with climate warming; the study represents collaboration among SciLifeLab, the Centre for Palaeogenetics, and Stockholm University.

Researchers note favorable preservation conditions for Yuka and acknowledge challenges applying the method to samples from temperate or tropical regions, but view this as a major technological stepping stone.

Adaptations to ancient, fragmented RNA handling and contamination avoidance were crucial, overcoming prior limits that restricted RNA recovery to younger specimens.

Significance lies in adding a molecular layer beyond ancient DNA and proteins, offering direct access to the cell’s functional state at life.