Chicken Period Park: Scientists Raised Dinosaur Foot in Chicken

Genetics from the University of Chile, using genetic manipulation of the chicken embryo, ensured that the legs of an adult chicken acquired the features of dinosaur legs. At the same time, instead of introducing the new genes into the chicken genome, on the contrary, it was necessary to turn off some of the already existing ones.

Chickens in the legs remained rudiment called fibular, resembling a pin. Its relative size is smaller than that of the ancestors of birds, and it has nothing to do with the bones in the leg. Scientists have found that the suppression of the IHH (Indian hedgehog homolog) gene, which is responsible for the development of bones, leads to the development of a full-sized fibula, which, moreover, grows attached to the ankle. As a result, the anatomy of the legs of a bird approached the anatomy of carnivorous dinosaurs.
')
Dinosaurs, the ancestors of birds, the tibia and fibula bones were of similar size and joined together. In the course of evolution, the latter, as unnecessary, decreased and ceased to be connected to other bones. Back in the 19th century, scientists noted that the course of evolution affects the development of bird embryos - both bones first appear the same, and then one lags behind in development.

This is the second success of the team of geneticists of the University in approaching the structure of birds to their ancestors - previously they managed to get birds that did not have toes sticking backwards. All the fingers were pointing forward, as was the dinosaurs.

Scientists claim that they are not trying to get a dinosaur in the laboratory. “The experiments focus on specific signs to prove the selected hypotheses,” says the head of the laboratory, Alexander Vargas [Alexander Vargas]. “We studied the growth and development of birds very well, as well as the transition between dinosaurs and birds, known for its fossil record. Naturally, this gives rise to hypotheses concerning the course of evolution, which can be tested in the laboratory. ”

But in vain, after all, they are not trying to raise dinosaurs. In fact, well, what could go wrong?