Also known as the thylacine, the Tasmanian tiger Thylacinus cynocephalus it is one of the extinct animals on which the eyes of science are focused. Through a complicated process of de-extinction, researchers intend to bring back to life the marsupial that disappeared over a century ago.
Scientists at the University of Melbourne had previously announced it, and now, thanks to a biological find of inestimable valuethey could be even closer to the goal. A Tasmanian tiger head has been kept in a cabinet in a Melbourne museum for decades.
It’s definitely not a sight for sore eyes, but this remnant could make a crucial contribution to research. The experts are convinced of this Colossal Biosciencesa biotechnology company that is leading the effort by collaborating alongside the Australian team.
Preserved in ethanol, this head could hold the key to seeing a flesh-and-blood thylacine specimen again in the 21st century. Condition aside, researchers have already discovered something extremely valuable inside it.
“a 110-year-old head (skinned and preserved in ethanol)→ exceptional preservation enabled researchers to piece together most of its DNA sequence, as well as strands of RNA (a molecule that is structurally similar to DNA but has only one strand) “https://t.co/U6WRbeODhG
— Dr Karl (@DoctorKarl) October 19, 2024
The rest retains RNA strands, much less stable than DNA but with fundamental information for reconstructing the thylacine genome and improving its understanding. Thanks to RNA, scientists have expanded their knowledge of the functioning of different tissues of the species, being able to “observe” how the Tasmanian tiger smelled or saw.
The progress is significant and Professor Andrew Parks, head of the laboratory Thylacine Integrated Genomic Restoration Research Lab (TIGRR) of the University of Melbourne considers the discovery of that thylacine head a miracle.
It left me speechless. We are further along than I thought and have completed many things that we thought would be very challenging and that others said would be impossible,” he said.
Since Tasmanian tiger DNA was extracted from a cub, its genome is now the most complete ever assembled. However, the research conducted by Australian and US professionals does not intend to stop. Among other things, Colossal also carries out other programs to resurrect the dodo and the woolly mammoth.
However, many questions remain. What will be the next step? How will revived Tasmanian tigers fit into an ever-changing ecosystem? Is it right and ethical to invest in de-extinction projects with experiments and assisted reproduction to bring long-lost species back to life and into nature?