Sunday, February 16, 2025

Colossal Eyes Thylacine Revival with Near-Complete Genome

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Thylacines, or Tasmanian tigers, went extinct in 1936

Colossal Biosciences

Colossal, a de-extinction company, has announced that it has nearly completed sequencing the genome of the extinct thylacine, boasting over 99.9 percent completion. However, it has yet to provide substantiating evidence for this claim.

Sequencing a complete genome is notoriously challenging,” explains Emilio Mármol-Sánchez from the University of Copenhagen, who first extracted RNA from a preserved thylacine. For reference, the human genome’s final sections were only fully sequenced recently.

Once widespread across Australia, thylacines were reduced to Tasmania by European colonization, with the last recorded individual dying in 1936. The genome was initially sequenced in 2017, using a 108-year-old preserved pouch, but it had numerous gaps. Colossal claims to have filled many of these gaps using DNA from a 120-year-old tooth.

While the genome may seem complete, without other thylacine genomes for comparison, its accuracy remains questionable. Instead, the team relies on related species to estimate completeness. Furthermore, there is no established method to create living cells with this genome.

Consequently, Colossal plans to modify the fat-tailed dunnart, a living marsupial, to mirror thylacine traits. This approach raises the intriguing question: would this creation genuinely resemble an extinct species, or simply be a peculiar version of a contemporary animal?

While Colossal emphasizes its focus on progress rather than scientific publications, many eagerly await tangible proof of its ambitious claims.

Topics:


Vocabulary List:

  1. De-extinction /diː.ɪkˈstɪŋk.ʃən/ (noun): The process of bringing an extinct species back to life through genetic or reproductive means.
  2. Sequencing /ˈsiː.kwəns.ɪŋ/ (verb): The process of determining the order of nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule.
  3. Genome /ˈdʒiː.noʊm/ (noun): The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.
  4. Accuracy /ˈæk.jər.ə.si/ (noun): The quality or state of being correct or precise.
  5. Substantiating /səbˈstæn.ʃi.eɪt/ (verb): Providing evidence to support or prove the truth of something.
  6. Traits /treɪts/ (noun): Distinguishing characteristics or qualities especially of one’s physical attributes or behavior.

How much do you know?


What is one of the challenges mentioned in sequencing a complete genome?
High cost
Technical difficulties
Lack of researchers
Overabundance of data


When did the last recorded thylacine individual die?
1920
1936
1955
1971


Which species does Colossal plan to modify to mirror thylacine traits?
Kangaroo
Koala
Fat-tailed dunnart
Wallaby


What method does the team rely on to estimate the completeness of the thylacine genome?
DNA replication
Related species comparison
Genetic engineering
Mutation analysis


What does Colossal emphasize in relation to their focus?
Profit generation
Public relations
Scientific publications
Technological advancements


Which university is Emilio Mármol-Sánchez from?
Stanford University
Harvard University
University of Copenhagen
Oxford University


Colossal has completed sequencing the genome of the extinct thylacine.


The thylacine genome was initially sequenced in 2017 using a 120-year-old tooth.


There is an established method to create living cells with the thylacine genome.


Many people are skeptical about Colossal's ambitious claims.


The fat-tailed dunnart is a reptile species.


Colossal is primarily focused on scientific publications to validate their claims.


The thylacines were reduced to Tasmania by European colonization, with the last recorded individual dying in .


The team claims to have filled many gaps in the thylacine genome using DNA from a -year-old tooth.


Without other thylacine genomes for comparison, the accuracy of the genome remains .


Colossal plans to modify the to mirror thylacine traits.


Many eagerly await tangible proof of Colossal's ambitious .


Sequencing a complete genome is notoriously .

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