Despite decades of efforts, scientists have not been able to recover dinosaur DNA. Most paleontology research today still focuses on looking for traces of original organic material in fossils, but no DNA has survived through time.
Much of what we understand about dinosaurs comes from their fossilized bones and teeth. Although these durable ruins are well preserved, they provide limited insight into how these animals actually lived.
Soft tissues, on the other hand, reveal much more. These rare fossil materials include muscles, ligaments, pigments, and even skin (such as scales and feathers). They provide important clues about appearance, movement, and behavior.
Another type of soft tissue that may be preserved inside bones are blood vessels. My research team and I identified preserved blood vessels. tyrannosaurus rex It’s a fossil, and our findings were recently published in Scientific Reports.
Discoveries that began with physics
As a student in the Department of Physics at the University of Regina, I joined a research group that used particle accelerators to study fossils. During that time, I used advanced 3D imaging techniques to tyrannosaurus Structures that appeared to be bones and blood vessels were observed.
Almost six years later, I am currently pursuing my PhD and continue to apply physics-based methods to improve the way we analyze fossils.
Largest tyrannosaurus ever discovered
The preserved container was from a special specimen known as Scotti. Housed in the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Canada, Scottie is the largest museum collection. tyrannosaurus It is one of the most complete yet discovered.
Evidence suggests that Scotti lived a difficult life about 66 million years ago. Many of its bones show signs of damage, perhaps from battles with other dinosaurs or disease. One of the ribs stands out, indicating a large fracture that has only partially healed.
When bones are injured, the body increases vascular activity in the affected area to promote healing. The structures we observed in Scottie’s ribs appear to be part of that process, forming a dense network of calcified blood vessels, which we reconstructed using a 3D model.
Uncover hidden structures with advanced imaging
There are two major challenges to studying the interior of fossil bones. First, researchers need to look inside the specimen without damaging it. Second, fossilized bones are extremely dense because minerals replaced the original organic material over millions of years.
We initially considered using computerized topography (CT) scans, similar to those used in medicine. Although this method is non-destructive, standard CT scanners cannot penetrate the dense structure of large fossils.
Instead, they focused on synchrotron light, which is powerful, high-intensity X-rays produced in special particle accelerator facilities. This technique allowed small internal features, such as blood vessels, to be visualized with amazing clarity.
Synchrotron imaging has also made it possible to analyze the chemical composition of the structure. The vessels were preserved as iron-rich mineralized castings, a common fossilization process. Interestingly, they appear in two distinct layers, reflecting the complex environmental history that contributed to their preservation.
What blood vessels reveal about dinosaur ecology
Scottie’s partially healed rib fracture provides a unique opportunity to study how bones break. tyrannosaurus He has recovered from his injury. By examining preserved blood vessels, researchers can gain insight into the healing processes and survival strategies of large carnivorous dinosaurs.
The study could also provide a basis for comparisons with other dinosaur species and modern animals, such as birds, which are closely related to dinosaurs.
This discovery may also be useful for future fossil discoveries. Bones that show signs of injury or disease are more likely to preserve blood vessels and other soft tissue, helping scientists target promising specimens.
By combining physics, paleontology, and advanced imaging techniques, researchers are beginning to uncover details of dinosaur biology that were once thought impossible to study.
