Just wanted to mention it in passing. Because every step towards curing cancers of all sorts… is fantastic, as far as I’m concerned. The paper is in Science – “The Tasmanian Devil Transcriptome Reveals Schwann Cell Origins of a Clonally Transmissible Cancer“.
There’s three Tasmanian Devils at the zoo in my city, all brothers (because they’re rather feisty, carrion-eating scavengers thus are rather territorial if they’re just lumped in with each other). The video gives a good example of how they can be playful too.
Eureka Science News: Cells that protect nerves are the likely origin of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) that has been devastating Australia’s Tasmanian devil population, an international team of scientists has discovered.
Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is a transmissible cancer that affects only Tasmanian devils and was first reported in 1996. It is spread by biting and quickly kills the animals. The disease is characterised by large tumours, mostly on the face and mouth, which often spread to internal organs. The research collaboration, led by Australian scientists, has found that DFTD originates from cells called Schwann cells, which protect peripheral nerve fibres.
The results have been published today in the international journal Science. Through the discovery, the team has now identified a genetic marker that could be used to accurately diagnose the perplexing cancer, which has seen the devil listed as endangered and facing extinction.
For more information or to make a donation to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, visit, www.tassiedevil.com.au.
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Aw. I love devils too. They’re great. It’s really good to know there’s progress being made on the facial tumours.
My wife mentioned the news about the origins of the disease but couldn’t remember which cells, so thanks for posting about it. It’s a fascinating, bizarre disease! It brings to mind prions as another example of a normal part of a biological system gone wrong, then escaping the host to become a contagious parasite.
Also condolences on your loss. I went through a similar experience some years ago.
Interesting research,I think the ‘devil’ will be in the detail as always.I know bad pun.Thanks Kylie
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