Scientists have for the first time recovered RNA from an extinct species, the Tasmanian tiger, raising hope for the resurrection of animals once thought lost forever, Stockholm University researchers told AFP.
"RNA has never been extracted and sequenced from an extinct species before," said Love Dalen, a Stockholm University professor of evolutionary genomics who co-led the project.
RNA is a molecule that is used to convey information from the genome to the rest of the cell about what it should do., then you need to know where the genes are and what they do, and in what tissues they are regulated," Dalen said, explaining the need for knowledge about both DNA and RNA. The last known living Tasmanian tiger, a carnivorous marsupial, died in captivity in 1936 at the island's Beaumaris Zoo.
Scientists have focused their de-extinction efforts on the Tasmanian tiger as its natural habitat in Tasmania is largely preserved.Daniela Kalthoff, in charge of the mammal collection at the Museum of Natural History, said the idea of possibly resurrecting the Tasmanian tiger was an"exciting idea".
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