Scientists are trying to create tyrannosaurus skin to make luxury handbags

British Scientists Aim to Grow Tyrannosaurus Skin for Luxury Accessories

British researchers plan to grow Tyrannosaurus skin to create high-quality accessories such as bags and wallets. This ambitious project is being carried out by Lab-Grown Leather, a Newcastle-based company, in collaboration with The Organoid Company, which specializes in biotechnology for cultivating the skin of extinct animals using DNA extracted from fossil remains.

Previously, scientists believed it was impossible to retrieve dinosaur DNA due to its complete degradation over time. However, recent paleobiological discoveries have made it possible to extract collagen—the primary protein in connective tissue—from fossils. Such fragments were found in the remains of a Tyrannosaurus estimated to be around 80 million years old.

In 2023, Lab-Grown Leather made a major breakthrough by becoming the first company to successfully grow authentic animal leather. Now, they aim to apply the same technology to Tyrannosaurus skin. Scientists are confident that this new material will be incredibly strong and durable, with the first prototype expected to be unveiled by the end of the year.

According to Professor Che Connon, this project opens up new frontiers, particularly in creating leather from prehistoric species. It also highlights the potential of cellular technologies for developing innovative and ethical materials.

A key achievement of the company is its ability to replicate the biochemical signals necessary for proper cell formation—without the use of animal serum or synthetic additives typically found in lab-grown meat or leather production.

The crucial component in developing Tyrannosaurus skin will be the collagen protein extracted from the dinosaur’s remains, which serves as the foundational building block for tissue growth.

The project also involves Dutch company VML, which, in 2023, created the world’s first meatball made from mammoth DNA.