Cloning the Tasmania Tiger - turning science fiction into fact

14-August-2002

The man behind the attempt to bring the Tasmania Tiger back from extinction through cloning will be in Wollongong tonight (Wednesday 14 August) to explain the revolutionary project.

Australian Museum director Professor Mike Archer will speak about the project that would turn science fiction into fact at a public meeting at the Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium in Squires Way, Fairy Meadow at 5.30pm.

The last known Tasmanian Tiger, or Thylacine, died in captivity in 1936, but Professor Archer is leading a team of biologists who believe the animal's extinction may simply be a 70-year hiccup.

After more than two years of ongoing cloning research, the Australian Museum has overcome a crucial obstacle in its continuing efforts to bring the Tasmania Tiger back to life. In May the Evolutionary Biology Unit at the museum successfully replicated individual Tasmanian Tiger genes using a process known as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction).

In 1999 DNA was successfully extracted from an ethanol preserved Tasmanian Tiger pup sample. Additional DNA has been extracted from two other individual pups in 2001. These other tissue sources included bone, tooth, bone marrow and dried muscle.

The most significant breakthrough to date has been the replication of individual Tasmanian Tiger genes using the PCR process. These PCRs show that short fragments of the DNA are undamaged and undoubtedly Tasmanian Tiger DNA, and that there is no reason why these should not work in a living cell.

Hosted by university's Faculty of Science and the Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium, the session will be open to the public at a cost of $8 for adults and $5 for students and children. Refreshments will be served. Bookings are necessary as places are limited Ph: 4286 5000.

For further information, or to arrange interviews, contact Tim Cartwright at the University's Faculty of Science on 4221 3512.