PRESERVED T. Rex Soft Tissue RECOVERED (Pic)

Star Tribune ^ | 03.24.05 | Randolph Schmid

[wallcrawlr]

WASHINGTON — For more than a century, the study of dinosaurs has been limited to fossilized bones. Now, researchers have recovered 70-million-year-old soft tissue, including what may be blood vessels and cells, from a Tyrannosaurus rex.

If scientists can isolate proteins from the material, they may be able to learn new details of how dinosaurs lived, said lead researcher Mary Higby Schweitzer of North Carolina State University.

"We're doing a lot of stuff in the lab right now that looks promising,'' she said in a telephone interview. But, she said, she does not know yet if scientists will be able to isolate dinosaur DNA from the materials.

The soft tissues were recovered from the thighbone of a T. rex, known as MOR 1125, that was found in a sandstone formation in Montana. The dinosaur was about 18 years old when it died.

[wallcrawlr]

These photos provided by the journal Science show demineralized fragments of tissues from a Tyrannosaurus Rex femur. The top photo shows the demineralized fragment is flexible and resilient. The middle photo shows the demineralized bone in the air after drying. The bottom one shows regions of demineralized bone showing fibrous character. These characteristics are not normally seen in fossil bone.

Associated Press

Published March 24, 2005

© Copyright 2004 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

A little PCR and Jurassic Park here we come!!!

[big'ol_freeper]

Interesting.

[bahblahbah]

Somebody should eat it on Fear Factor.

[Darkwolf377]

I was wondering why Starr Jones was wearing that band aid.

[Finger Monkey]

Cooooool.

[Mustng959]

My thoughts exactly...someone will try to complete the DNA chain and clone a T-Rex.

[newgeezer]

researchers have recovered 70-million-year-old soft tissue

More proof that Budweiser didn't originate the idea of the "born on date".

[mewzilla]

Hmmmm....looks like a fossilized Chicken McNugget to me.

[mdmathis6]

I have a real problem with the material being 70 million years old, yet still flexible and flesh like...something just doesn't smell right...No pun intended!

[Kozak]

Maybe they have like the taste of lawyer...

[mainepatsfan]

We all know how that story will end.

[Frank_Discussion]

Yes... Spare no expense!

[Sender]

I want a T rex! I'll only keep it while it's a puppy.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Some redneck somewhere is thinking "Gas grill or pig smoker?"

[hispanarepublicana]

Back in the early '90s, I remember running a GREAT t-rex screensaver where the t-rex would run across your screen, try to jump up and crawl up the screen, and then crash on his butt, thudding sound and all. Aaaahhh, those were the days.
DOH! I just noticed your FR name! How appropriate.

[TalBlack]

I can't buy this. No way in hell! 70 million years --riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

[mewzilla]

Objects In The Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear

[tnlibertarian]

Did some lady find it in her chili?

[cripplecreek]

Same here. 70 million years is a loooong time. It's not like this bone was frozen in a glacier.