Geneticists Make Groundbreaking Discovery on Extinct Tasmanian Tiger
In a groundbreaking study published in the scientific journal Genome Research, geneticists have successfully isolated and decoded RNA molecules from a 130-year-old Tasmanian tiger specimen. The genetic material has provided valuable insights into how the long-extinct animal’s genes functioned, offering a glimpse into its biology.
The thylacine, a marsupial predator commonly known as the Tasmanian tiger, went extinct approximately 2,000 years ago, except for a small population living on the Australian island state of Tasmania. The last known thylacine, named Benjamin, died in captivity in 1936, and since then, efforts have been made to potentially bring the species back through de-extinction.
The recent study, led by Andrew Pask, a researcher spearheading the project to resurrect the thylacine, is being hailed as groundbreaking. While previous belief suggested that RNA, a temporary copy of DNA, could not withstand the test of time, this study is the first to successfully retrieve RNA from an extinct animal. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the durability of genetic material.
The research team managed to sequence RNA from the skin and skeletal muscle tissues of the 130-year-old thylacine specimen. The extracted information has significantly expanded the animal’s transcriptome, providing a more comprehensive understanding of its biology. RNA allows scientists to observe the variations and differences in gene expression, akin to different recipes in a recipe book. Consequently, decoding RNA can offer crucial insights into an animal’s metabolism and overall biology.
While the study’s findings are illuminating, they have also opened doors to further possibilities. The researchers hope to recover RNA from even older animals, such as the woolly mammoth. This could potentially shed light on the genetic functioning of ancient species and potentially contribute to de-extinction efforts.
The remarkable feat of isolating and decoding RNA from a 130-year-old Tasmanian tiger specimen has redefined our understanding of genetic material’s durability. As Andrew Pask points out, this groundbreaking research holds immense potential for advancements in the field and paves the way for future discoveries in resurrecting long-lost species. The study’s publication in Genome Research marks a significant milestone in genetic research and the quest to unravel the mysteries of extinct species.
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