Re: dino dna

[NEIL CLARK <NCLARK@museum.gla.ac.uk>]

Despite the problems of contamination of samples by algae, bacteria, 
and other infestations and decomposing catalysts, it still is possible 
to obtain enough DNA from long dead animals depending on the 
taphonomic processes under which they have gone.  Some of my 
colleagues are obtaining DNA from *Dinornis* (Moa), Didus (dodo), 
and early humans.  Many of these are not old by geologic terms, but 
have undergone most of the early stages of decomposition that any 
dinosaur would have undergone.  I guess that if we find the bone that 
has undergone the right proceeses of decomposition and 
preservation, who knows..........  :)

However, DNA decomposes substantially through time as well, 
without help as far as I am aware.  This means that even if we do get 
DNA from dinosaurs, it will be so fragmented that it would be virtually 
impossible to reconstruct.  I also understand that some amino acids 
decompose into other amino acids through time.

Even with the soft tissue preservation inside dinosaur eggs (that I 
have access to, but cannot work on because I cannot afford to buy the 
eggs) which we would think is a closed system, there is ample room 
for bacterial infestation and degredation of the DNA molecule.


Neil Clark
Curator of Palaeontology
Hunterian Museum
University of Glasgow
email: NCLARK@museum.gla.ac.uk

The first law of Geology is the law of supposition.
(Geological Howlers - ed. WDI Rolfe)