Breakthroughs Bring Tasmanian Tiger Closer to Revival After Decades of Extinction

The Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, has been extinct for nearly a century, but recent breakthroughs are reigniting hopes of bringing this unique marsupial back to life. The efforts are led by companies and research institutions such as Colossal Biosciences, in collaboration with the University of California, Santa Cruz Genomics Institute (UCSC_PGL) and other experts.

The Tasmanian tiger, which resembles a canine but is actually a marsupial, was last seen in the wild in the 1930s. The species was declared extinct in 1986. However, advances in genetic engineering and genomics have made the prospect of de-extinction more feasible. Scientists are now closer to reviving the species through complex genetic manipulation and cloning techniques.

A key aspect of the de-extinction effort involves engineering resistance to diseases and environmental challenges that the Tasmanian tiger would face if reintroduced. For example, researchers are exploring ways to make existing animals resistant to the cane toad toxin, which could be crucial for the survival of reintroduced Tasmanian tigers in their natural habitat.

The UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute and other collaborators have made significant progress in sequencing the Tasmanian tiger genome, a critical step in the de-extinction process. This genetic data will be used to create embryos that can be carried to term by a surrogate mother, likely another marsupial species).