Bringing Back the Past to Protect Our Future. Deextinction of the Tasmanian Tiger.

Abstract Authors: Andrew J. Pask^1,2, Rachel O’Neill³, Patrick Grady^2,3, Sara Ord², Axel Newton^1,2, Stephen Frankenberg^1,2, Pierre Ibri¹ Gerard Tarulli^1,2

1. The University of Melbourne
2. Colossal BioSciences
3. The University of Connecticut

Abstract Text:

Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinctions for any country in the world. We are also host to some of the most unique mammal species – namely our marsupials. Sadly, genetic and reproductive technologies are sorely lacking in this group. We are now actively working to address these issues. The primary objective of our research is to increase tools for marsupials in our conservation toolkit to ensure their conservation, preservation and even restoration (including deextinction) of cornerstone species. Here I will discuss our recent work on the thylacine deextinction project, genetic fortification in the Northen quoll, development of marsupial stem cell technologies, advances in marsupial assisted reproductive technologies and biobanking. Together, these studies provide a novel framework for species conservation, preservation and even restoration in our rapidly changing world.