Emily Chan
RNA is more unstable and prone to damage than DNA, so it is usually less likely to be preserved. In this case, its preservation has provided the researchers with more information about the thylacine’s biology than ever before.
Another breakthrough in the thylacine de-extinction project has implications for the conservation of a living species. It involves using assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to trigger ovulation in a small, mousy marsupial called the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata).
It is the closest living relative of the Tasmanian tiger. Once the fat-tailed dunnarts produce a bunch of eggs, the researchers will inject the finalized thylacine genome into them. The research team also plans to use fat-tailed dunnarts as surrogates to grow thylacine embryos.
In addition, the team is working on perfecting the creation of an artificial device that can grow marsupial embryos. The device is now able to carry embryos from the beginning to midway through pregnancy.
“They are all huge breakthroughs,” said Andrew Pask, a professor of genetics and developmental biology at the University of Melbourne in Australia, who helped put together the Tasmanian tiger genome.
“The development of ART for marsupials has major implications for captive breeding for endangered marsupials—but is also paving the way for us to create a living thylacine once we have the edited cells.”
