Berinba Public School joined other schools throughout NSW to help the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia (CCIA) conduct groundbreaking research. The CCIA is working on a joint project to help save the Tasmanian Devil while providing important insights into childhood cancers. The Tasmanian Devil is under threat of extinction because of a transferable facial cancer that suffocates its victim within six months of infection. It is believed that this evolved form of cancer could hold vital clues to human cancers, including childhood cancer.

Researchers from CCIA, together with US collaborators, are aiming to undertake the huge task of generating a complete DNA sequence of the Tasmanian Devil. This sequence will be used to develop markers to breed a healthier and stronger Tasmanian Devil population that is resistant to this infectious cancer. By doing so, scientists hope to discover a greater understanding of all human cancers.

Students at Berinba took part in a black and white Mufti Day to help raise money for the worthwhile research. Students were encouraged to come to school dressed as Tasmanian Devils! Older classes at Berinba also worked on research tasks and projects with all funds raised on the day going towards the Devil Sequencing Project at CCIA.