Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main objective of the TIGRR lab in relation to the thylacine?
What is the main objective of the TIGRR lab in relation to the thylacine?
Which marsupial species has been used to derive stem cells for de-extinction techniques?
Which marsupial species has been used to derive stem cells for de-extinction techniques?
What advantage do marsupials have regarding reproduction compared to other mammals?
What advantage do marsupials have regarding reproduction compared to other mammals?
What is required to use living stem cells for creating an embryo in marsupial de-extinction?
What is required to use living stem cells for creating an embryo in marsupial de-extinction?
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How do marsupial reproductive techniques potentially differ from those of other mammals?
How do marsupial reproductive techniques potentially differ from those of other mammals?
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What led to the extinction of the thylacine on the Australian mainland?
What led to the extinction of the thylacine on the Australian mainland?
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Which unique feature is associated with the thylacine's appearance?
Which unique feature is associated with the thylacine's appearance?
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What role did the thylacine serve in its ecosystem in Tasmania?
What role did the thylacine serve in its ecosystem in Tasmania?
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What was a major recent development facilitating the efforts for de-extinction of the thylacine?
What was a major recent development facilitating the efforts for de-extinction of the thylacine?
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Which of the following was completed in 2017, crucial for the thylacine research efforts?
Which of the following was completed in 2017, crucial for the thylacine research efforts?
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Which disease is tied to the lack of natural predation in Tasmania's ecosystem?
Which disease is tied to the lack of natural predation in Tasmania's ecosystem?
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Which species is the closest relative of the thylacine mentioned in the content?
Which species is the closest relative of the thylacine mentioned in the content?
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What is one of the anticipated outcomes of developing gene editing technologies for marsupials?
What is one of the anticipated outcomes of developing gene editing technologies for marsupials?
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What are the goals of collecting cell samples from close living relatives?
What are the goals of collecting cell samples from close living relatives?
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Which aspect of marsupial reproduction provides an advantage in de-extinction efforts?
Which aspect of marsupial reproduction provides an advantage in de-extinction efforts?
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What major objective is linked to the large bioinformatics project involving marsupial genomes?
What major objective is linked to the large bioinformatics project involving marsupial genomes?
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What is a critical step in developing reproductive technologies for de-extinction?
What is a critical step in developing reproductive technologies for de-extinction?
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How do the characteristics of marsupial reproduction facilitate the de-extinction process?
How do the characteristics of marsupial reproduction facilitate the de-extinction process?
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What has remained relatively unchanged, making it ideal for the reintroduction of the thylacine?
What has remained relatively unchanged, making it ideal for the reintroduction of the thylacine?
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Which of the following represents a major step completed in 2017 essential for thylacine research?
Which of the following represents a major step completed in 2017 essential for thylacine research?
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What is a potential benefit of developing gene editing technologies for marsupials?
What is a potential benefit of developing gene editing technologies for marsupials?
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Which issue is exacerbated by the absence of thylacines in Tasmania's ecosystem?
Which issue is exacerbated by the absence of thylacines in Tasmania's ecosystem?
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What is the role of the TIGRR lab in the context of the thylacine?
What is the role of the TIGRR lab in the context of the thylacine?
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Which animal did settlers believe was a threat to the sheep industry, leading to the thylacine's decline?
Which animal did settlers believe was a threat to the sheep industry, leading to the thylacine's decline?
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What was the last known year that a thylacine was documented to have died?
What was the last known year that a thylacine was documented to have died?
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What distinguishes the thylacine from other marsupials?
What distinguishes the thylacine from other marsupials?
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What is a significant advantage of marsupial reproduction in the context of de-extinction technologies?
What is a significant advantage of marsupial reproduction in the context of de-extinction technologies?
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Which of the following processes is necessary for the creation of a thylacine embryo using living stem cells?
Which of the following processes is necessary for the creation of a thylacine embryo using living stem cells?
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What key technology is necessary for comparing marsupial genomes during the thylacine de-extinction project?
What key technology is necessary for comparing marsupial genomes during the thylacine de-extinction project?
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Why might developing reproductive technologies for marsupial de-extinction be more straightforward than for other mammals?
Why might developing reproductive technologies for marsupial de-extinction be more straightforward than for other mammals?
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What role does the fat-tailed dunnart serve in the thylacine de-extinction efforts?
What role does the fat-tailed dunnart serve in the thylacine de-extinction efforts?
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What would have been one of the ecological roles of thylacines in Tasmania if they had not become extinct?
What would have been one of the ecological roles of thylacines in Tasmania if they had not become extinct?
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Which significant factor contributed to the possibility of reintroducing the thylacine to Tasmania?
Which significant factor contributed to the possibility of reintroducing the thylacine to Tasmania?
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What was the consequence of European settlers hunting the thylacine?
What was the consequence of European settlers hunting the thylacine?
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Which important step is necessary to develop effective de-extinction techniques for marsupials?
Which important step is necessary to develop effective de-extinction techniques for marsupials?
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What was the primary funding source for the TIGRR lab's research efforts?
What was the primary funding source for the TIGRR lab's research efforts?
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What inspired the use of thylacine DNA for potential de-extinction projects?
What inspired the use of thylacine DNA for potential de-extinction projects?
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Which challenge does the development of gene editing technologies aim to tackle for marsupials?
Which challenge does the development of gene editing technologies aim to tackle for marsupials?
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Why is the thylacine considered an ideal candidate for de-extinction efforts?
Why is the thylacine considered an ideal candidate for de-extinction efforts?
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Study Notes
Thylacine Extinction
- The thylacine was a marsupial predator that was native to Australia and Tasmania.
- It went extinct on the mainland around 3,000 years ago but survived in Tasmania.
- European settlers hunted the thylacine to extinction, believing it was a threat to sheep farming.
- The last known thylacine died in captivity in 1936.
Thylacine De-Extinction
- De-extinction is a potential way to bring back the thylacine.
- Tasmania's habitat has remained relatively unchanged since the thylacine's extinction, making it suitable for reintroduction.
- The TIGRR lab (Thylacine Integrated Genomic Restoration Research lab) is working towards de-extinction of the thylacine.
- Funding for 10 years has been secured for the lab.
De-Extinction Process:
- The thylacine has the highest quality extinct genome, surpassing even the woolly mammoth and dodo.
- Scientists are comparing marsupial genomes to identify genetic differences between the thylacine and its closest relatives.
- They are using a related marsupial, the dunnart, to develop stem cell technology and reproductive techniques.
- Marsupial reproduction offers advantages due to their pouch and short gestation time.
- A surrogate host species may not be necessary for thylacine reproduction.
Thylacine Extinction
- The thylacine was widespread in Australia before becoming extinct on the mainland around 3,000 years ago.
- It continued to exist in Tasmania but was hunted to extinction by European settlers who saw it as a threat to sheep.
- The last known thylacine died in captivity in 1936.
Thylacine Appearance and Role
- It had a dog-like appearance and was known as Australia's only marsupial apex predator.
- Thylacines may have helped control the spread of the Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease, which has severely impacted this species.
De-extinction Potential
- Modern-day habitat in Tasmania remains suitable for the thylacine, offering a good environment for reintroduction.
- The TIGRR lab, which has received significant funding, is focused on de-extinction of the thylacine.
De-extinction Steps
- Complete DNA genome: The thylacine has the highest quality extinct genome sequenced so far, including higher quality than the woolly mammoth and dodo.
- Closely related species gene sequence: This includes the dunnart, or marsupial mouse, and the fat-tailed dunnart.
- Bioinformatics project: This aims to identify genetic differences between related species to create a thylacine cell.
- Cell samples from close relatives: Stem cells have been derived from the fat-tailed dunnart, which are critical for de-extinction.
- Reproductive technologies: These are needed to create an embryo from living stem cells and transfer it into a host species' uterus.
- Reproduction and breeding: - Thylacines give birth to undeveloped young that complete development in the pouch. This makes de-extinction easier in comparison to other animals that require lengthy gestation periods.
Thylacine Extinction
- The thylacine was widespread in Australia before becoming extinct on the mainland around 3,000 years ago.
- The thylacine continued to exist in Tasmania but was hunted to extinction by European settlers, who perceived it as a threat to the sheep industry.
- The last known thylacine died in captivity in 1936.
- It was Australia's only marsupial apex predator.
- The thylacine's extinction highlights the potential consequences of losing apex predators, as seen in the devastating spread of Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease.
Thylacine De-extinction Potential
- Tasmania's habitat remains relatively unchanged, providing a suitable environment for thylacine re-introduction.
- The TIGRR lab is dedicated to thylacine de-extinction research and has received significant funding.
- The lab aims to develop gene editing technologies for species conservation and disease resistance in marsupials.
De-extinction Steps
- A complete thylacine DNA genome was obtained in 2017, representing the highest quality extinct genome sequenced to date.
- Closely related species, such as the dunnart, are being studied to identify genetic differences for gene editing.
- The TIGRR lab is working on comparing genomes and identifying genetic differences for thylacine reconstruction.
- Stem cells have been derived from the fat-tailed dunnart, providing a model for developing de-extinction techniques.
- Reproductive technologies, including embryo creation and transfer, are being developed for thylacine de-extinction.
- The marsupial reproductive cycle offers advantages for de-extinction, as young complete development in the pouch, eliminating the need for long gestation periods.
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Description
Explore the fascinating story of the thylacine, a once-thriving marsupial predator that became extinct due to human activities. This quiz delves into the potential for de-extinction and the groundbreaking work being done by the TIGRR lab. Test your knowledge of thylacine history and the science behind bringing it back to life.
