Local scientists map Tasmanian devil's genome to save it
Geneticists at two San Diego organizations have emerged as key players in an international effort to save the Tasmanian devil, a ferocious meat-eating marsupial that is being decimated by a mysterious type of contagious cancer. Ref. Source 3
Stem cell research provides hope for tasmanian devils with a deadly, transmissible cancer. Using stem cell therapy, researchers have taken the first step toward developing an effective treatment for devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), which is decimating Tasmanian devils in the wild. Source 3f.
Why the Tasmanian devil might be more susceptible to transmissible cancers. Cancers that can jump from one animal to another of the same species are rare, but the endangered Tasmanian devil is doubly unlucky: in recent years, two transmissible cancers affecting them have been identified. A comparison of these cancers suggests that they are similar in origin, leading researchers to believe that devils may be at greater risk for these kinds of diseases. Source 1v.