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10 March 2010
Research discovery could save the Tasmanian devil
Australian Research Council Chief Executive Officer, Professor Margaret Sheil, today welcomed a discovery that could save the endangered Tasmanian devil.
“I congratulate researchers from the Universities of Sydney and Tasmania on this extraordinary discovery,” Professor Sheil said.
“Supported by ARC Linkage Projects scheme funding, Chief Investigator and ARC Future Fellow, Associate Professor Kathy Belov and her team have discovered a small number of devils that appear to be resistant to Devil Facial Tumour Disease.”
Associate Professor Kathy Belov is also using her ARC Future Fellowship to research the genetics of resistance to Devil Facial Tumour Disease.
Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr said the Australian Government is committed to supporting research that will lead to ground-breaking Australian discoveries.
“This discovery is great news for Australian research and for the Australian public,” Senator Carr said.
“Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a highly contagious condition that is bringing our Tasmanian devil population to extinction; but there is now hope for their survival.”
Professor Sheil said: “The Linkage Projects scheme is designed to support collaborative research efforts such as this and I am thrilled that it has enabled these teams to make such an exciting and important discovery.”
More information about this discovery is available in the latest edition of the journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society B and on the University of Sydney website www.usyd.edu.au.
| Media contact: | ||
Sheena Ireland |
Australian Research Council |
0412 623 056 |
