Hello, "Jurassic Park": Scientists believe they have discovered a genuine dinosaur protein.

Non-avian dinosaurs went extinct approximately 66 million years ago, which means that humans know about them only through fossils that have miraculously survived over such a long period. However, new research suggests that some fragments of proteins, such as collagen, may still exist today.

No, this does not mean that "Jurassic Park" has come closer to reality, but scientists will still need to reassess some notions about the processes of tissue decomposition. The study was published in Analytical Chemistry.

It is noted that collagen remnants belonging to the duck-billed dinosaur Edmontosaurus were found in the fossilized remains.

Collagen is the foundation of connective tissues in animals (skin, cartilage, tendons, bones) and is the most abundant protein in mammalian bodies. However, over time, it has the ability to decompose. Therefore, when referring to "dinosaur bones," it often means a "cast" in which all organic compounds have been replaced by inorganic minerals.

The new research poses a significant challenge to the beliefs that have prevailed in the scientific community for decades. For example, until the 2000s, it was believed that collagen could not be preserved for more than a million years; however, later discoveries theoretically pushed this "ceiling" to two million years. Thus, finding genuine dinosaur molecules in fossils that are already at least 66 million years old was previously deemed impossible.

However, scientists have now analyzed the sacral bone using several methods, including optical microscopy and mass spectrometry, providing evidence that collagen has indeed been preserved.

It is worth noting that in 2020, a study claimed that cartilage cell remnants and even nuclei were found in another duck-billed dinosaur. However, at that time, the scientific community reacted with skepticism and cited the need for more substantial evidence. The new study has also faced critical evaluation, and discussions are ongoing about whether the fossils might have been contaminated by bacteria or fungi, as well as speculations that this could be some peculiarity of the mineralization process rather than actual collagen.

Regardless, we shouldn't expect a return of the dinosaurs just yet. Even if the collagen turns out to be genuine, extracting DNA from it will not be possible. However, it's wise not to completely rule out the possibility of a miracle.

As previously reported, scientists have established that grains appeared in the diet of our ancestors as far back as 780,000 years ago, which is half a million years earlier than previously thought.