Scientists can revive an extinct wolf (5 photos)

Scientists have made a discovery that could be the key to... restoration of extinct animal species. They extracted RNA for the first time Tasmanian wolf. The last representative of this species is extinct around 1936. So it may come to the resurrection of mammoths!





Scientists from Stockholm University, Sweden, for the first time extracted RNA from the dried skin and muscles of the Tasmanian wolf (marsupial wolf), stored since 1891 in the Swedish Museum of Natural History. The last representative of this species became extinct around 1936. RNA - ribonucleic acid, one of three molecules found in cell nucleus. This acid is involved in the coding and expression of genes, and has structural similarities to DNA. Previously, scientists have already extracted from extinct species of animals and plants DNA, however, this study marked the first time in history that RNA was extracted. This could be an important step towards re-creating extinct animal species.



Extracted RNA, unlike DNA, gives experts information about the features of biology and regulation of metabolism that occurred in cells and tissues of Tasmanian wolves before their extinction. Remains of the ancient wolves kept in the Swedish Museum of Natural History were semi-mummified: the skin, muscles and bones of the species are preserved, but the internal organs are lost. Scientists immediately had questions: how long can RNA stored in animal tissue? RNA found in dried muscles and skin can be preserved for many more years - provided that the samples are stored under room temperature.



Scientists are already actively looking for methods and conducting programs to "resurrection" of other extinct species - for example, the dodo bird, which disappeared more than 350 years ago. In addition, the American startup Colossal Back in 2022, Biosciences announced the launch of a program to “combat extinction" of the Tasmanian wolf and woolly mammoth using stem cell technology.