First Tasmanian Tiger ‘Revival’ Insight gained from century-old specimen
Researchers at Stockholm University and Scilifelab have gained valuable insight into the presence of regulatory genes specific to the Tasmanian tiger from a specimen that died more than a century ago. This marks the first time such information has been extracted from an individual of this extinct species.
“This is the first time that we have gained insight into the presence of regulatory genes specific to the Tasmanian tiger from an individual that died more than a century ago,” said Marc R. Friedländer, associate professor at Stockholm University and Scilifelab, in the press release.
The Tasmanian tiger, also known as the marsupial, was a carnivorous marsupial found throughout the Australian continent and the island of Tasmania. However, due to European colonization and the government’s decision to issue a bounty for each adult killed, the species went extinct. The last known Tasmanian tiger died in captivity in 1936 at a zoo in Hobart, Tasmania.
The preserved specimen that the researchers have been studying has been stored at room temperature at the National Museum of Natural History in Stockholm. Through studying the RNA molecules in the specimen, the researchers hope to gain a better understanding of how to revive extinct species, including the Tasmanian tiger and the woolly mammoth, as well as study pandemic RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2.
According to the researchers, the knowledge of a species’ DNA alone is not enough to revive it. RNA molecules play a crucial role in transmitting information and controlling how proteins are formed, making it an essential component in the revival process.
The findings of this study have significant implications for attempts to revive extinct species and restore disrupted ecosystems. As the natural habitat in Tasmania remains largely preserved, there is potential for a ‘reintroduction’ of the Tasmanian tiger, which could help restore the ecosystem that was impacted after the species disappeared.
The results of this research also have broader applications beyond species revival. The study can contribute to the understanding and study of pandemic RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
The study detailing the insights gained from the century-old specimen was recently published in the journal Genome Research.
Source: Stockholm University