Genetic research by University of Sydney and University of Tasmania researchers shows about 20 per cent of the devil population in the area is genetically different to the other devils.

University of Sydney Associate Professor Kathy Belov said the identification of a small number of genetically different devils in the North-West population opened exciting new research opportunities.

"The majority of devils in Tasmania are immunological clones and therefore susceptible to DFTD,'' she said.

"This study has identified a group of devils that are genetically different.

We think these devils may be able to see the cancer cells as foreign and mount an immune response against them.''

A decade ago the Tasmanian devil was regarded as common but now it is listed as endangered at both a state and national level and extinction in the wild is considered to be a real possibility within 25-35 years.