Tasmanian devils, those quirky marsupial scavengers, are facing a dire threat: a contagious cancer that has decimated their population. But amidst this grim scenario, a beacon of hope emerges through a groundbreaking research partnership. The Colossal Foundation and the University of Tasmania have joined forces to tackle devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), a formidable challenge that has already claimed 80% of wild devils since its discovery in 1996. This disease, a cunning duo of cancers (DFT1 and DFT2), spreads through bites during feeding and mating, leading to fatal tumours around the mouth and face. The partnership is a two-pronged attack, combining vaccine development and gene editing.
A Vaccine Approach
The vaccine strategy, led by Andrew Flies and his team at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, involves an oral bait vaccine designed to train the devil's immune system to combat both cancers. This innovative approach aims to protect wild devils across Tasmania without the need for trapping and injecting each individual. The Colossal Foundation's support is crucial, as they establish a colony of fat-tailed dunnarts, a mouse-sized marsupial relative, in Hobart. This colony will serve as a safe testing ground for the vaccine before trials on devils commence.
Flies acknowledges the challenges of working with an endangered species and the lack of marsupial research tools, which have slowed progress. However, the partnership with the Colossal Foundation offers a ray of light, as they can now explore a gene-editing strategy in parallel, enhancing the vaccine's effectiveness and making devils more resilient to DFTD.
Gene Editing: Targeting the LZTR1 Gene
The second prong of the attack focuses on a gene called LZTR1, which researchers believe plays a pivotal role in the origin of the tumours. The teams aim to test whether editing this gene could reduce the susceptibility of devils to the cancers. This approach, if successful, could significantly impact the fight against DFTD.
Broader Implications and Future Directions
The decline of Tasmanian devils has far-reaching consequences for the ecosystem. As apex scavengers, their disappearance allows feral cats to spread unchecked. This partnership not only focuses on saving the devils but also contributes to a broader understanding of marsupial biology and conservation. The expertise gained from this project could have applications in the conservation of other endangered species, such as the thylacine, which the Colossal Foundation has previously sought to revive.
In conclusion, this research partnership represents a beacon of hope for the Tasmanian devil. By combining vaccine development and gene editing, scientists are making significant strides in the fight against a deadly disease. The success of this endeavor could not only save the devils but also contribute to our understanding of marsupial biology and conservation efforts worldwide.
