classical dftd likely originated in the schwann cells of a single devil. schwann cells are found in the peripheral nervous system, and produce myelin and other proteins essential for the functions of nerve cells in the peripheral nervous system. researchers sampled 25 tumours and found that the tumours were genetically identical. using deep sequencing technology, the study authors then profiled the tumours' transcriptome, the set of genes that are active in tumours; the transcriptomes closely matched those of schwann cells, revealing high activity in many of the genes coding for myelin basic protein production. several specific markers were identified, including the mbp and prx genes, which may enable veterinarians to more easily distinguish dftd from other types of cancer, and may eventually help identify a genetic pathway that can be targeted to treat it.