RNA from Extinct Species Recovered by Scientists

2023-09-20 09:20:26

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Scientists recover RNA from an extinct species for the first time

For the first time ever, geneticists have isolated and decoded RNA molecules from an extinct species, shedding light on the functioning of the animal's genes. The groundbreaking research focused on a 130-year-old Tasmanian tiger specimen in the collection of the Swedish Museum of Natural History. These findings, published in the scientific journal Genome Research, have the potential to deepen our understanding of extinct animals' biology and contribute to future genetic restoration efforts.

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The Tasmanian tiger's genetic makeup

The thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger, was a marsupial predator similar in size to a coyote. It became extinct about 2,000 years ago, except for a population in Tasmania that was hunted to extinction by European settlers. The study's lead researcher, Mármol Sánchez, stated that while the goal was not de-extinction, comprehending the genetic composition of the thylacine can aid ongoing efforts to bring back the species in some form.

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RNA breakthrough and future possibilities

Previously, it was believed that only DNA could be obtained from ancient samples. However, this research demonstrates the extraction of RNA from tissues, offering greater insights into the biology of extinct animals. The recovered RNA from the thylacine specimen could be a stepping stone for further studies on extinct creatures, including long-gone species like the woolly mammoth.

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The significance of RNA in understanding biology

RNA plays a crucial role in building a more comprehensive understanding of an animal's biology. Mármol Sánchez compares DNA to an instruction manual, whereas RNA allows each cell to interpret and produce different proteins, enabling the diverse functionalities within an organism. By studying RNA, scientists can go beyond the "recipe book" of DNA and gain insight into the metabolic and biological intricacies of extinct species.

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"You can learn a lot…by reading those recipes," Mármol Sánchez explained. "But you will be missing the real bits of metabolism, of biology that all those restaurants or cells are having amongst each other."

This breakthrough in recovering RNA from an extinct species opens up new avenues for research and provides valuable information for understanding the biology of long-lost creatures.

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