Colossal Biosciences and University of Melbourne Make Breakthrough in Saving Endangered Northern Quoll

Colossal Biosciences and the University of Melbourne have achieved a significant milestone in their mission to protect Australia's endangered northern quoll from the invasive cane toad. Through genetic engineering, they have introduced resistance to the cane toad toxin in marsupial cells, marking a crucial advancement in conservation efforts. The next step involves deriving induced pluripotent stem cells from northern quolls, which will be CRISPR-edited to pass on this genetic resistance to future generations, ultimately aiding in the species' survival in the wild. Since the introduction of cane toads in the 1930s, northern quoll populations have plummeted by 75%, making this breakthrough a critical step towards reversing their decline and restoring ecological balance in Australia.