In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers have successfully sequenced RNA from an extinct Tasmanian tiger specimen that is over a century old. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the field of genetics and paleogenomics.
For the first time, transcriptomes – essentially the complete sets of RNA transcripts from an organism – have been reconstructed for an extinct species, providing unprecedented insights into the biology of the Tasmanian tiger. The study’s lead author, Emilio Mármol, emphasizes the importance of this venture in resurrecting the genetic makeup of extinct species.
The research team used cutting-edge techniques to identify high-quality RNA molecules from the preserved specimen, filling gaps in our understanding of how genes were regulated in extinct species. This breakthrough provides a richer picture of the biological functions that characterized the Tasmanian tiger and could be pivotal for de-extinction efforts.
The study’s findings not only shed light on the biology of the Tasmanian tiger but also have implications beyond extinct animals. Love Dalén, a Professor of evolutionary genomics, suggests that in the future, researchers may be able to recover RNA not only from extinct animals but also from hosts held in museum collections, such as SARS- CoV-2 and its evolutionary precursors.
While this achievement marks a significant milestone, the journey towards de-extinction is long. The next steps will involve understanding the environment, behavior, and role within the ecosystem before reintroducing a species.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/rna-recovered-from-an-extinct-species-tasmanian-tiger-for-first-time-ever/