Researchers Sequence Tasmanian Devil Genome in Effort to Save the Species
Scientists hoping to save the Tasmanian devil from the strange and contagious cancer known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) have turned to genomics to help them save species before the disease wipes it out completely. Researchers have conducted whole-genome analyses of two Tasmanian devils to develop a model by which to select healthy specimens to be kept in captivity so that the species might carry on. DFTD is pretty nasty stuff and has only emerged as a killer of Tasmanian devils in the last fifteen years, but the effects have been widespread and disastrous. The disease disfigures the victim, which usually dies form starvation or suffocation due to massive facial tumors that impede its ability to get by in the wild. Worse, the disease is easily communicable, spreading through biting, mating, even simple touching. Related ArticlesFor the First Time, Geneticists Diagnose Disease Through Whole-Genome AnalysisBetter Meds: Scientists Identify Key Genetic Components...