In 1988, an 80 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil was found in Montana. A fragment of collagen was extracted from it. It was one of the most complete samples - it even retained blood proteins.

The scientists intend to use this fragment to artificially recreate the dinosaur's full-size collagen sequence. Then they will insert the genetic material into the skin cells and grow it in the laboratory.

Eventually, experts hope to obtain a material that is genetically and structurally identical to natural leather. This technology can be an alternative to traditional leather production. This process is associated with deforestation and the use of toxic substances such as chromium.

The tyrannosaurus skin will be completely biodegradable. At the same time, it will have durability and wear resistance.

This is not the first experiment of its kind. In 2023, scientists grew mammoth meat in the laboratory and cooked prehistoric meatballs. To do this, they took the DNA sequence from the mammoth's muscle protein and filled in the gaps with the code obtained from the elephant. The sequence was then placed in sheep stem cells, which began to multiply. However, the scientists did not dare to try the resulting meatballs, mir24 reports.