Posted on 02/13/2025 12:05:10 PM PST by Red Badger
Close up of the hip bone of an Edmontosaurus. Credit: University of Liverpool
Liverpool researchers’ discovery of collagen in fossilized bones could provide new insights into dinosaurs.
For years, scientists widely believed that the fossilization process destroyed all original organic molecules, leaving fossils devoid of their original biological material.
However, a groundbreaking study led by the University of Liverpool has provided strong evidence that Mesozoic fossils, including dinosaur bones and teeth, still contain preserved organic materials.
Using advanced mass spectrometry and other analytical techniques, researchers detected remnants of collagen in the hip bone of an Edmontosaurus, a duck-billed dinosaur. This discovery helps settle a long-standing debate that has persisted for over 30 years.
The study, published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, used several techniques, including protein sequencing, to detect and characterize bone collagen in the 22-kilogram fossil. The fossil is an exceptionally well-preserved Edmontosaurus sacrum excavated from Upper Cretaceous strata of the South Dakota Hell Creek Formation. It is part of the University of Liverpool’s collections and offers a unique opportunity for cutting-edge analyses.
The fossil is an exceptionally well preserved Edmontosaurus sacrum. Credit: University of Liverpool Key Findings and implications
Professor Steve Taylor, chair of the Mass Spectrometry Research Group at the University of Liverpool’s Department of Electrical Engineering & Electronics, said:
“This research shows beyond doubt that organic biomolecules, such as proteins like collagen, appear to be present in some fossils.
“Our results have far-reaching implications. Firstly, it refutes the hypothesis that any organics found in fossils must result from contamination.
“Secondly, it suggests that cross-polarized light microscopy images of fossil bones, collected for a century, should be revisited. These images may reveal intact patches of bone collagen, potentially offering a ready-made trove of fossil candidates for further protein analysis. This could unlock new insights into dinosaurs– for example revealing connections between dinosaur species that remain unknown.
“Lastly, the findings inform the intriguing mystery of how these proteins have managed to persist in fossils for so long.”
Hip bone of an Edmontosaurus. Credit: University of Liverpool
The research not only appears to resolve a long-standing scientific debate but also opens further avenues for studying ancient life, offering a glimpse into the biochemical preservation of fossils of extinct creatures.
Collaboration across disciplines
The study brought together experts from multiple disciplines:
Researchers from UCLA contributed to the study, using tandem mass spectrometry to detect and quantify—for the first time—the amino acid hydroxyproline, which is specific to collagen when found in bone, thus confirming the presence of decayed collagen.
Researchers from the University of Liverpool’s Mass Spectrometry Research Group conducted protein sequencing and mass spectrometry tests.
Specialists from the University’s Materials Innovation Factory carried out additional analyses to confirm the results.
The Centre for Proteome Research at the University of Liverpool identified fragments of collagen alpha-1, the main form of collagen in bone tissue.
Reference:
“Evidence for Endogenous Collagen in Edmontosaurus Fossil Bone”
by Lucien Tuinstra, Brian Thomas, Steven Robinson, Krzysztof Pawlak, Gazmend Elezi, Kym Francis Faull and Stephen Taylor, 17 January 2025, Analytical Chemistry.
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c03115
The question isn’t “should we”, it’s how fast can they make me a velociraptor. I need a support animal bad.
I would expect Paleontology to be stirred by this.
What do I know?
You could be right.
I didn’t test the material for dating :)
I’ve seen this movie.
It doesn’t end well......................
For Doug
I thought Carbon Dating was the name of a dating site for old folks.
We’ve seen in the case of the woolly mammoth carcasses found in Siberia frozen more or less continuously since their deaths only 50,000 years ago that it takes well preserved tissue samples to be able to extract an entire DNA sequence.
And this isn’t well-preserved tissue, it’s “decayed collagen.” Which means even “could provide new insights” might be overly ambitious. They might learn some bits and bobs but not enough to even dream of resurrecting a dinosaur.
Thanks, this is a confirming study of something that is A) old B) gets saddled on by moonbats, and C) no, paleontology hasn't been shaken by this.
Jurassic Park, here we come!
Incredible find.
That’s not creepy at all…
/sarc
“Jurassic Park” might be opening near you in the not too distant future.
What if they clone the dinosaur and it didn’t look anything like what they thought it would in fact what if it turned out to be much worse and more dangerous than they ever imagined. Wouldn’t that be funny?
Soft tissue discovered around 1991. Fascinating. Really the simplest conclusion is that they ain’t millions of years old.
That 6600 is looking pretty solid.
I had In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida on 8-Track.
That means they can be barbecued!
This is not the first time organic soft tissue has been found in dinosaur fossils.
I’ve always assumed that “Jurassic Park” is fiction. But just to be on the safe side, I have avoided traveling to Costa Rica, just in case any of the dinosaurs on Isla Nublar make it to the mainland.
I think I saw some, back in my drinking days. LOL.
‘ They’re not 66 million years old.
Maybe 66 hundred.’
As written in the epic of Gilgamesh.
Open your eyes people.
All the dinosaurs were killed in the flood because the ark wasn’t big enough.
God made it look older to try to test our faith.
And David Koresh will return so get yourself ready.
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