The first set of Tasmanian Devils’ genetic sequencing has revealed the origin of the unique transmissible cancer now devastating the devil population, offering hope that the rapid decline in devil numbers can be arrested and giving scientists new insights for cancer research. The work was done by an international team of scientists lead by Dr Elizabeth Murchison, who conducted the research at The Australian National University in the laboratory of Professor Jenny Graves of the ANU Research School of Biology and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics. The team made the breakthrough by studying and comparing the genes active in both healthy and sick Tasmanian Devils.

Mystery of Tasmanian Devil Cancer Solved

All it takes is a bite for a Tasmanian devil to pass a lethal cancer on to its kin. Now scientists have figured out the origin of the transmissible facial tumor disease that's wiping the creatures out: nerve cells.

The finding, which was based on genetic testing of the cancerous tumors, could lead to diagnostic tests, treatments and vaccines for the disease, which are currently unavailable.

"Our findings represent a big step forward in the race to save the devils from extinction," said lead researcher Elizabeth Murchison of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in New York and the Australian National University.

By diagnosing those with the facial cancer, called devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), scientists would be able to isolate the animals before they infect others. That's important for their survival, as past research has shown that the animals mingle quite a bit, meaning lots of chances for physical contact and spread of cancer cells. ...

crank wrote:Note: That link is broken. I went to site and can only find old story from dec 08.