Colossal Foundation and University of Tasmania Launch Multi-Pronged Initiative to Combat Deadly Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease
The Colossal Foundation, the nonprofit conservation organization established by Colossal Biosciences, has announced a strategic partnership with the University of Tasmania to accelerate efforts against one of the world’s most devastating wildlife diseases—Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). By combining cutting-edge immunology, gene-editing research, and marsupial biotechnology, the collaboration seeks to develop innovative solutions that could help protect the endangered Tasmanian devil and preserve the island’s fragile ecosystem.
The initiative addresses a conservation crisis that has unfolded over nearly three decades. Since the emergence of the first form of the disease in the mid-1990s, Tasmanian devil populations have experienced catastrophic declines, with approximately 80% of wild animals disappearing across much of Tasmania. Researchers hope that integrating vaccine development with advanced genetic technologies will provide new opportunities to halt the spread of the disease and improve long-term survival prospects for the species.
A Wildlife Disease Unlike Any Other
Devil Facial Tumour Disease is one of the rare examples of a naturally occurring contagious cancer. Unlike conventional cancers that remain confined to an individual, DFTD spreads directly between Tasmanian devils through the transfer of living cancer cells, primarily during biting behavior. Because biting is a normal part of feeding, establishing dominance, and mating among devils, the disease spreads rapidly throughout wild populations.
Researchers have identified two distinct forms of the disease:
- DFT1, first discovered in 1996.
- DFT2, identified in 2014.
Both cancers are highly aggressive and almost always fatal. Tumours typically develop around the face and mouth, making it increasingly difficult for infected animals to eat before ultimately leading to starvation or systemic illness.
The emergence of these cancers has transformed Tasmanian devil conservation into one of the world’s most urgent wildlife health challenges.
Ecological Importance of the Tasmanian Devil
Tasmanian devils serve as the island’s largest native carnivorous marsupial and function as both apex scavengers and predators. Their ecological role extends far beyond their own survival.
By consuming carcasses, devils help reduce disease transmission among wildlife and livestock. They also regulate populations of smaller predators and contribute to maintaining ecological balance throughout Tasmania.
The dramatic reduction in devil numbers has therefore created ripple effects across entire ecosystems. Scientists warn that continued population losses could significantly alter biodiversity and ecosystem stability across the island.
Protecting Tasmanian devils is consequently viewed as an essential component of broader conservation efforts.
Two Complementary Strategies
Rather than relying on a single intervention, the newly announced collaboration combines two independent but complementary scientific approaches designed to address both prevention and long-term disease resistance.
Developing an Oral Vaccine
One major focus of the partnership is advancing an oral bait vaccine capable of stimulating the Tasmanian devil’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells associated with both DFT1 and DFT2.
The vaccine has been developed by the Wild Immunology Group at the University of Tasmania under the leadership of Associate Professor Andrew Flies.
Unlike injectable vaccines, an oral formulation could potentially be distributed throughout natural habitats using bait, making large-scale vaccination of wild populations far more practical.
Researchers hope the vaccine will train immune cells to identify tumour cells before they become established, reducing disease transmission and improving survival.
Because DFTD behaves differently from infectious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria, creating an effective vaccine has required years of specialized immunological research.
Exploring Gene Editing for Disease Resistance
Alongside vaccine development, scientists will investigate whether genetic approaches may help increase natural resistance to the disease.
The project will specifically examine LZTR1, a gene believed to play a role in the origin and progression of DFT1.
Researchers will explore whether correcting devil-specific mutations within this gene could reduce susceptibility to tumour formation or improve the animals’ ability to resist disease.
Although still at an early research stage, gene-editing technologies offer the possibility of addressing the biological mechanisms that contribute to cancer development rather than solely treating its consequences.
This dual strategy—preventing disease through vaccination while simultaneously investigating genetic resilience—represents an ambitious new direction for wildlife conservation research.
Establishing a New Marsupial Research Colony
A significant component of the collaboration involves expanding research infrastructure.
The Colossal Foundation will establish a new colony of fat-tailed dunnarts at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Hobart.
Fat-tailed dunnarts are small marsupials that provide researchers with a biologically relevant model for conducting preclinical studies before testing interventions in endangered Tasmanian devils.
The colony will enable scientists to perform critical vaccine safety evaluations, an essential regulatory and scientific step before advancing to trials involving wild devils.
Building this research capacity is expected to accelerate development timelines while minimizing risks to endangered populations.
Leveraging Experience from Thylacine Research
The new research colony will benefit from husbandry methods developed during Colossal Biosciences’ ambitious thylacine—or Tasmanian tiger—de-extinction program.
Through that initiative, Colossal has invested heavily in marsupial reproductive biology, veterinary care, breeding systems, and genetic technologies.
Those advances are now being adapted for conservation-focused research involving living endangered marsupials.
By transferring expertise gained through de-extinction research into active wildlife conservation programs, the organization hopes to accelerate practical scientific solutions for threatened species.
Leadership Highlights Potential Impact
Matt James, Executive Director of the Colossal Foundation, described Devil Facial Tumour Disease as one of the most destructive wildlife diseases ever documented.
He emphasized that combining the University of Tasmania’s expertise in wildlife immunology with Colossal’s capabilities in marsupial husbandry, reproductive science, and gene-editing technologies could substantially accelerate efforts to protect Tasmanian devils.
According to James, integrating these complementary scientific strengths creates a meaningful opportunity to improve conservation outcomes for one of Australia’s most iconic native species.
Vaccine Development Gains Additional Support
Associate Professor Andrew Flies noted that his research team has spent years developing a vaccine intended to stimulate immune responses against DFTD.
However, he explained that progress has been limited by the practical difficulties of working with an endangered species and the shortage of specialized marsupial research tools.
The partnership with the Colossal Foundation is expected to provide valuable scientific resources and infrastructure, enabling researchers to advance vaccine development while simultaneously exploring gene-editing approaches that could enhance disease resistance.
Running both strategies in parallel may increase the likelihood of identifying effective long-term interventions.
Building on Previous Conservation Successes
The collaboration also builds upon Colossal’s growing portfolio of conservation biotechnology initiatives.
Earlier research stemming from the company’s marsupial biotechnology platform contributed to the development of engineered cane toad toxin resistance for the endangered northern quoll, demonstrating how advanced genetic technologies can be adapted to address species-specific conservation challenges.
These previous achievements provide a foundation for applying similar technological innovations to Tasmanian devil conservation.
Although considerable scientific work remains before either vaccines or gene-editing approaches can be implemented in wild populations, researchers believe the partnership represents an important milestone in wildlife disease research.
Future studies will focus on evaluating vaccine safety, improving immune responses, refining gene-editing strategies, and ultimately determining whether these technologies can meaningfully reduce disease transmission and mortality among Tasmanian devils.
If successful, the project could establish a new model for combating infectious cancers and other emerging wildlife diseases using a combination of immunology, genetics, and conservation biology.
Beyond protecting a single endangered species, the collaboration highlights the growing role of advanced biotechnology in safeguarding biodiversity. As researchers continue to develop innovative tools for wildlife conservation, the partnership between the Colossal Foundation and the University of Tasmania offers renewed hope that one of nature’s most extraordinary marsupials may yet recover from a disease that has threatened its survival for nearly three decades.
ABOUT THE COLOSSAL FOUNDATION
The Colossal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting the use of cutting-edge technologies to conservation efforts globally to help prevent extinction of keystone species. The organization deploys cutting-edge de-extinction technologies and support to empower partners in the field to reverse the extinction crisis. www.ColossalFoundation.org.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA AND THE MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
The University of Tasmania is Australia’s fourth-oldest university and the only university based in Tasmania, with a deep institutional commitment to research that addresses the unique conservation, health, and environmental challenges of its island state. The Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania’s flagship medical research institute, is one of Australia’s leading health and medical research institutes. The Menzies Wild Immunology Group, led by Associate Professor Andrew Flies, focuses on wildlife immunology and vaccine development, including efforts to protect Tasmanian devils from devil facial tumour disease. Learn more at menzies.utas.edu.au.
ABOUT BONORONG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Established in 1981, Bonronog Wildlife Sanctuary is an iconic enterprise committed to the conservation of native species, through wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, education, and experiences that connect people and wildlife. Learn more at bonorong.com.au.
