A bag created from laboratory-produced collagen, derived from Tyrannosaurus rex fossils, was presented in Amsterdam as an alternative to traditional leather. The project aims to demonstrate the potential of laboratory-grown materials, but is raising doubts among scientists about the legitimacy of the name “T. rex leather”.
Scientists and designers presented a bag made with collagen obtained from Tyrannosaurus rex fossils, in a project that aims to demonstrate the potential of laboratory-grown leather.
The piece was developed by the company ., based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and transformed into a bag by the brand
According to Emily Telford, the company’s chief scientist, this is “a handbag made of laboratory-grown T. rex skin”, later liked and worked on for commercial use.
How the material was produced
According to the team, the material results from the use of fragments of ancient proteins extracted from dinosaur fossils. These fragments were inserted in a cell from an unidentified animal to produce collagen in the laboratory.
To be Collagen was then transformed into a leather-like material.
Che Connon, a scientist involved in the project, argues that this approach can offer advantages over synthetic alternatives:
“One of the challenges of synthetic leathers is the heavy dependence on plastics. The material we present does not contain plastics or finishes of this type and shows that it is possible to obtain an aesthetically interesting and usable leather without using these components.”
Skepticism in the scientific community
Despite the media repercussion, several experts question the designation “T. rex leather”.
from the Free University of Amsterdam, explained to Reuters that collagen may persist in dinosaur bones, but only in fragments and already very degraded:
“These remains are not enough to recreate the skin or hide of a T. rex.”
Also a paleontologist at the University of Maryland, highlighted that the collagen identified in fossils comes from the inside of the bones, and not the skin. He further adds that, Even if the proteins were compatible, the structural organization of the fibers that gives animal leather its properties would be missing.
Exhibition and auction
The turquoise suitcase is on display at the Art Zoo museum in Amsterdam, placed on a rock and under a replica of a T. rex. The exhibition runs until May 11th.
After that, the piece will be auctioned, with a bidding base of half a million dollars.
