Original Organic Molecules Found in 66-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Fossil
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Researchers have discovered evidence of original organic molecules, including collagen, inside dinosaur bones dating back approximately 66 million years. The findings, published in Analytical Chemistry, come from a detailed study of an Edmontosaurus fossil recovered from the Hell Creek Formation.
Facts First
- Collagen remnants detected in a 66-million-year-old Edmontosaurus fossil.
- Study used protein sequencing and mass spectrometry to identify organic molecules.
- Fossil recovered from the Hell Creek Formation in South Dakota.
- Edmontosaurus was a large duck-billed plant eater that lived alongside Tyrannosaurus rex.
- Some Edmontosaurus specimens retain detailed skin impressions, leading to the nickname 'dinosaur mummies'.
What Happened
Researchers led by the University of Liverpool uncovered evidence of original organic molecules, including collagen, inside dinosaur bones dating back approximately 66 million years. The study focused on a 22-kilogram Edmontosaurus sacrum fossil from the hip region. The fossil was recovered from the Hell Creek Formation in South Dakota. Scientists used protein sequencing and several forms of mass spectrometry to detect collagen remnants in the fossilized bone. Researchers from UCLA identified hydroxyproline, an amino acid associated with collagen, in the fossil. The findings were published in the journal Analytical Chemistry in 2025 under the title 'Evidence for Endogenous Collagen in Edmontosaurus Fossil Bone'. The research team used microscopy, chemical analysis, and protein sequencing to examine the fossil.
Why this Matters to You
This discovery expands the known timeline for the preservation of complex organic molecules, suggesting such materials may be recoverable from fossils far older than previously thought. This could lead to a deeper understanding of dinosaur biology and evolution, potentially offering new insights into the history of life on Earth.
What's Next
The techniques developed in this study may be applied to other fossils, which could reveal more about the soft tissue structures and organic composition of ancient creatures. Further research might clarify how such preservation occurs over geologic timescales.