Scientists Successfully Recover RNA from Extinct Tasmanian Tiger

In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, researchers have managed to recover and sequence RNA from an extinct species, the Tasmanian tiger, potentially paving the way for the resurrection of long-lost animals. This extraordinary feat was revealed by a Stockholm University researcher in an interview with CBS News. Marc Friedländer, an associate professor in molecular biology at Stockholm University, expressed that people initially had doubts about the feasibility of this endeavor, as extracting and sequencing RNA from an extinct species had never been accomplished before.

Leading the project alongside Marc Friedländer, Love Dalen, a professor of evolutionary genomics at Stockholm University, shared his perspective with the AFP, emphasizing the significance of this achievement. He stated, “RNA has never been extracted and sequenced from an extinct species before.” Dalen added that this advancement represents a vital step towards the potential resurrection of extinct species in the future.

The researchers were able to extract RNA molecules from a 130-year-old Tasmanian tiger specimen preserved at room temperature in Sweden’s Museum of Natural History. What makes this accomplishment even more remarkable is that they were successful in reconstructing RNA from the animal’s skin and skeletal muscle. RNA serves as a crucial molecule responsible for transmitting genetic information from the genome to the rest of the cell, directing its functions.

Dalen explained that to revive an extinct animal, a deep understanding of both DNA and RNA is essential. While DNA is relatively stable and can endure for millions of years, RNA is highly transient and easily degraded. Hence, this new technique stands as a “proof of concept.” Moreover, RNA offers insights that DNA alone cannot provide, shedding light on the active genes and their functions. Researchers were able to detect previously undiscovered genes using RNA analysis, which would have been impossible with DNA alone.

The last known Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, a carnivorous marsupial, perished in captivity in 1936 at the Beaumaris Zoo in Tasmania. The species was declared a pest after European colonization of Australia, and a bounty was placed on each full-grown animal killed in 1888. Given that the natural habitat of the Tasmanian tiger in Tasmania is largely intact, scientists have honed their de-extinction efforts on this particular species.

However, there are ethical considerations surrounding the prospect of resurrecting extinct animals, as Friedländer pointed out. He highlighted that humans played a significant role in the extinction of the Tasmanian tiger, making its potential revival a way of correcting past mistakes.

Daniela Kalthoff, in charge of the mammal collection at the Museum of Natural History, expressed her enthusiasm for the idea of resurrecting the Tasmanian tiger, referring to it as a “fantastic animal.” She showcased the black-and-brown striped skin that the researchers used in their study, underscoring the excitement surrounding this innovative project.

Furthermore, the implications of this research extend beyond the resurrection of extinct species. Dalen pointed out that it can also be applied to the study of RNA viruses responsible for pandemics. Given that many past pandemics, including the recent coronavirus outbreak and the Spanish flu, were caused by RNA viruses, the ability to recover RNA from wild animal remains stored in dry museum collections could shed light on the origins and nature of pandemics.

This study opens up the possibility of utilizing museum collections worldwide to recover RNA from various specimens, including dried skins and tissues of insects, mammals, and birds. This approach has the potential to transform the way we understand and combat diseases that have shaped our history.

In conclusion, the successful recovery of RNA from an extinct Tasmanian tiger represents a significant scientific achievement with far-reaching implications, from potential de-extinction efforts to understanding the origins of pandemics. This pioneering research may open new doors for utilizing museum collections in unprecedented ways, offering a wealth of knowledge and insights for future generations.