Researchers in Sweden recovered RNA from a 130-year-old Tasmanian tiger, allowing them to identify which genes were active in its tissues before extinction.

Scientists in Sweden recovered RNA from an extinct, 130-year-old Tasmanian tiger, also known as a thylacine. They then traced which genes were active in its tissues.

DNA can show what genes exist, but gene expression, which genes are active in a tissue, needs RNA in living cells.