New discovery prevented Tasmanian Devil from extinction

Scientists have discovered Schwann cells as the cause of tumors on the face of the Tasmanian Devil (Tasmania's 'demon'). This finding helps medicine to find treatments and prepare vaccines to prevent melanoma.

The Tasmanian devil is the world's largest carnivorous mammal.

Specifically, the group of scientists sampled tumors on the face of 25 Tasmanian Devil species in 14 populations on Tasmania Island (Australia), then conducted genetic analysis. The results showed that the tumor on the face of the Tasmanian Devil originated from Schwann cells.

The cause of this phenomenon is some kind of cell in the Schwann cells of the Tasmanian Devil that mutated and caused these tumors around 20 years ago.

Scientists also discovered that the tumor on the Tasmanian Devil's face was different from the common cancer because these tumors could spread and spread through contact or through bite marks.

Tumors on the face of the Tasmanian Devil are a special type of cancer, which often occurs in the face or area of ​​their lips. It will then spread into organs.

The Tasmanian Devil is the largest carnivorous mammal in the world, mainly distributed in Tasmania. However, they now face the risk of extinction because a cancer is strangely infected with tumors on the face.