BLUF

Genetic alterations mimic natural immunity seen in South American animals living alongside cane toads.

Summary

  1. Northern quolls are small carnivorous marsupials.
  2. Northern quolls are threatened by invasive cane toads.
  3. Cane toad toxins are lethal when quolls ingest them.
  4. Genetic edits can make quolls resistant to these toxins.
  5. Researchers aim to create toxin-resistant quolls within five years.

References