13 July 2011

Thylacine Cloning at The Front!

| johnboy
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thylacine

Facebook brings the thrilling news that Tasmanian Tiger cloning will feature at The Front in Lyneham on 16 August.

Sadly not actual cloning, but rather a discussion on it, which is still cool:

The Australian Museum in Sydney began a thylacine cloning project in 1999. The goal was to use genetic material from specimens taken and preserved in the early 20th century to clone new individuals and restore the species from extinction. By 2005 the museum announced that it was stopping the project after tests showed the DNA retrieved from the specimens had been too badly degraded to be usable.

In 2008 however, a different group of researchers reported that they managed to restore functionality of a gene Col2A1 enhancer obtained from 100 year-old ethanol-fixed thylacine tissues from museum collections. The genetic material was found working in transgenic mice…

Join your host, local MC “Feline” as she introduces a public presentation from one of these very researchers, Professor Marilyn Renfree (University of Melbourne). After the presentation there will be time for questions as well as an open mic session to share ideas about science and culture, with prizes for the most insightful and creative contributions from the audience!

5:30pm – entertainment
6:00pm – keynote presentation
6:50pm – questions
7:00pm – open mic

This event is brought to you with the support of National Science Week and the ACT Government.

[Photo courtesy Wikipedia]

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Jethro said :

Can you whipper-snipper a Thylacine embryo?

Absolutely you can. I know that it works with baby harp seals – and certain kittens – and a dear friend reliably tells me that Thylacine are also able to be ‘snipped’ quite effectively and with little effort on your part. Win/Win basically.

Now, where the hell was that damn cat…………………………………….

Can you whipper-snipper a Thylacine embryo?

The Frots said :

For some strange reason I keep reading this as ‘Thylacine cooking’.

Hell, what type of sauce would you serve?

Thai chilli of course.

For some strange reason I keep reading this as ‘Thylacine cooking’.

Hell, what type of sauce would you serve?

KaptnKaos said :

ConanOfCooma said :

F*77 Thylacines, focus on the real cloning issue: DINOSAURS!

No one gives a shit about marsupials, they want giant lizard that eat people.

Things I’d like to see – Greenpeace trying to free a velociraptor.

More like greenpeace trying to kill baby velociraptors. But stuff that, when can I get a brachio-steak?

ConanOfCooma said :

F*77 Thylacines, focus on the real cloning issue: DINOSAURS!

No one gives a shit about marsupials, they want giant lizard that eat people.

Things I’d like to see – Greenpeace trying to free a velociraptor.

ConanOfCooma10:06 pm 13 Jul 11

F*77 Thylacines, focus on the real cloning issue: DINOSAURS!

No one gives a shit about marsupials, they want giant lizard that eat people.

The Frots said :

blowers said :

Awesome. Imagine the cool leather coats we could make from the skins. and the boots!!

Damn – put me down for a jacket and a throw rug!

I thought the Throw rug was the obvious choice. I wonder if they’ll make good shoe liners like the NZ Possums?

Holden Caulfield12:20 pm 13 Jul 11

Will the hipsters embrace this vintage fur?

blowers said :

Awesome. Imagine the cool leather coats we could make from the skins. and the boots!!

Damn – put me down for a jacket and a throw rug!

Awesome. Imagine the cool leather coats we could make from the skins. and the boots!!

Excellent.

But won’t the Greens object?

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