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Donations deliver for devil immune studies

Published: 09/08/2010

The Tasmanian devil's immune system has so far baffled researchers for its failure to block DFTD from entering the devil's system.

The University of Tasmania and the University of Sydney will share $54,000 Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Grants to further explore laboratory techniques and genetic studies aimed at unravelling the complex issue.

Associate Professor Kathy Belov, of the University of Sydney's Faculty of Veterinary Science, has received $30,000 towards the development of a comprehensive sequencing database of the entire Major Histocompatibility Complex genetic sequence of one potentially DFTD-resistant, and one infected devil.

This will help researchers design better measurements of genetic diversity in devils, so that potentially resistant animals in the wild and in captivity could be identified and managed.

Meanwhile Associate Professor Greg Woods and Dr Alex Kreiss, of the UTAS Menzies Research Institute, received funding for further analysis of new laboratory techniques that will help find alternatives in immunisation against DFTD.

Dr Alex Kreiss said the project would also help determine which component of the Tasmanian devil's immune response could protect it against developing DFTD.

"Our model being developed will help us understand the underlying mechanisms of DFTD, how this tumour escapes the devil's immune system and, potentially, how it can be killed," he said.

"Through this new work we hope to screen the devil's response to a range of DFTD immunisation protocols."

Assoc/Prof Woods added that any potential for a vaccine requires a number of models to be tested. This research will contribute towards that goal.

The Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal (STDA) is the formal fundraising arm of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program.