Sydney Science Forum - Sympathy for the Devil
25 July 2012
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| Sydney Science Forum - Sympathy for the Devil |
Presented by Associate Professor Kathy Belov
ARC Future Fellow and Head of the Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, the University of Sydney
Cancer is not normally contagious, however Australia's Tasmanian devil is facing extinction due to a new transmissible cancer: Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD).
The disease, which has no cure and has already decimated 80% of the Tasmanian devil population, has evolved due to a lack of genetic diversity amongst wild devil populations and is passed from devil to devil when they bite each other. The cancerous cells do not invoke an immune response and infected devils succumb to starvation within six months.
Join Associate Professor Katherine Belov as she discusses her fascinating and award winning genomics research and talks about preserving this unique species both in the wild as well as captivity.
Afterwards, meet and learn more about Australian marsupials and participate in activities and interactive demonstrations.
Time: 5.45pm-6.45pm, Wednesday 25 July 2012
Location: Eastern Avenue Auditorium, University of Sydney
Cost: Free
Contact: Faculty of Science Information Office
Phone: 9351 3021
Email: 452b0a283c4856460d1f46201e74583e0a29171f47060618692e18
More info: http://sydney.edu.au/science/ssf