By Dean Murray
A company is to make handbags from Tyrannosaurus rex leather.
The process involves reconstructing ancient protein sequences from fossilised T. rex collagen and engineering synthetic DNA.
This is then used to cultivate cells through a lab-based tissue engineering platform.
The announcement comes from a partnership between creative agency VML, genomic engineering specialist The Organoid Company, and sustainable biotech firm Lab-Grown Leather Ltd.
They say the development is the world’s first leather made from synthetic DNA derived from Tyrannosaurus rex collagen, and offers a high-quality alternative to traditional leather that’s cruelty-free and eco-friendly.
A statement explains: “Initial applications will focus on accessories, with the ambition to produce a luxury fashion item as its flagship commercial product by the end of 2025. Following this proof of concept, increased production will open up opportunities to expand into sectors beyond fashion, such as the automotive industry.”
Thomas Mitchell, CEO of The Organoid Company, added: “This project is a remarkable example of how we can harness cutting-edge genome and protein engineering to create entirely new materials. By reconstructing and optimising ancient protein sequences, we can design T. Rex leather, a biomaterial inspired by prehistoric biology, and clone it into a custom-engineered cell line.”
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
