Mary H. Schweitzer at NC State University found soft tissue inside the bones of T -rex which resembles extracellular matrix and has the physical characteristics of collagen - this is in tissue 60+million years old. Mass spectrometry revealed presence of at least seven peptide fragments from collagen from T-rex bones which was most similar to chicken collagen.

This is a true venture into molecular paeleontology.

source:

NOVA Science Now at PBS.org Wed Aug 20

www.meas.ncsu.edu/faculty/schweitzer/schweitzer.htm

Interpreting sequences from mastodon and T. rex.  Science 317:325.

Analyses of soft tissue from Tyrannosaurus rex suggest the presence of protein.  Science 316: 277-280.

Protein sequences from mastodon (Mammut americanum) and dinosaur (Tyrannosaurus rex) revealed by mass spectrometry.  Science 316:280-284.

 IMAGE SOURCE: nova now at pbs.org