posted on Mar, 14 2010 @ 09:45 PM
March 10, 2010
Researchers have found that eggshells of extinct bird species are a rich source of preserved DNA.
An international team isolated the delicate DNA molecules of species including the massive "elephant birds" of the genus Aepyorni.
The Proceedings of the Royal Society B research demonstrated the approach also on emu, ducks and the extinct moa.
The team says that the technique will enable researchers to learn more about ancient birds and why they died out.
"Researchers have tried unsuccessfully to isolate DNA from a fossil eggshell for years," said Charlotte Oskam at Murdoch University in Western
Australia, who authored the research.
"It just turned out that they were using a method designed for bone that was not suitable for a fossil eggshell."
The team has obtained DNA from the shells of a variety of species, most notably the elephant bird Aepyornis , which at half a tonne was heaviest bird
to have ever existed.
news.bbc.co.uk...
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/3ecdc0162f0c.jpg[/atsimg]
The elephant bird's eggs could make 30 omelettes
Thirty omelettes, now that is cooking, hope they aren't planning to replicate this DNA, wouldn't want Elephant Birds flying or I should say walking
around.