The question
Can ribonucleic acid (RNA) be recovered from an extinct animal?
Thefindingshave implications for several scientific disciplines, including gene-editing technologies and in-vitro fertilization.
We knew from a few previous studies that, under certain preservation conditions (i.e.
John Gould’s lithographic plate from The Mammals of AustraliaIllustration: John Gould
The thylacine was a carnivorous marsupial about the size of a dog.
A government-issued bounty on the animals lasted from 1888 until 1909.
The last known thylacine died in a zoo in 1936 due to suspected neglect.
© Vicky Leta/Gizmodo
There were many trials and errors.
But eventually we said the thylacine is more or less the low-hanging fruit we have now.
The technique could even be applied to things that are not truly livingspecifically, viruses.
The thylacine pelt studied by the RNA recovery team. Photo: Love Dalén
Improving our understanding of RNA virus genomes could help scientists reduce the risks posed by these pathogens.
There were highs and lows on a daily basis, Marmol-Sanchez said.
Its not until the end that you more or less decode what is going on.
Next up for the team?
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