the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, imagine owning a wallet or handbag made from T-Rex leather. It may sound like science fiction, but biotech innovation could make it a reality by the end of this year. A pioneering partnership between Newcastle-based Lab-Grown Leather and The Organoid Company is working to grow genuine T-Rex skin using DNA fragments from dinosaur fossils—ushering in a new era of prehistoric luxury fashion.
The Science Behind T-Rex Leather
The process begins with an incredible scientific breakthrough: the discovery of preserved collagen in an 80-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil. Collagen is the key protein that gives skin its structure, and by reconstructing a full-length collagen sequence from this ancient sample, scientists can engineer a new type of leather that mirrors the texture and strength of real dinosaur hide.
Lab-Grown Leather, the first company to successfully culture fully natural animal skin without synthetic scaffolds or animal-derived serums, is leading the charge. Their groundbreaking method allows skin cells to self-organize naturally, resulting in 100% pure animal tissue—without any fillers or artificial materials. This approach ensures the final product feels as authentic as traditional leather, but with none of the ethical compromises.
Recreating a Prehistoric Material
To create T-Rex leather, The Organoid Company is using collagen protein fragments extracted from fossils to generate a full genetic sequence. This sequence is then inserted into lab-grown cell lines to produce a dense, structured dermis—the layer of skin that remains after tanning. Because fossils suggest that T-Rex skin was scaly like modern reptiles, the leather is expected to have a unique, reptilian texture that’s both durable and visually striking.
“This project is a remarkable example of how we can harness cutting-edge genome and protein engineering to create entirely new materials,” said Thomas Mitchell, CEO of The Organoid Company. “We’re designing a biomaterial inspired by prehistoric biology and cloning it into a custom-engineered cell line.”
A Sustainable and Ethical Alternative
By eliminating the need for live animals, this lab-grown leather presents a revolutionary shift in the fashion industry. “We’re unlocking the potential to engineer leather from prehistoric species, starting with the formidable T-Rex,” said Prof. Che Connon of Lab-Grown Leather. “This venture showcases the power of cell-based technology to create materials that are both innovative and ethically sound.”
A Global Collaboration on the Frontier of Fashion
The project is supported by VML, the innovation agency behind the world’s first woolly mammoth meatball in 2023. By combining ancient DNA with modern science, they aim to create high-end, sustainable materials that challenge traditional manufacturing norms.
“With T-Rex leather, we’re harnessing the biology of the past to create the luxury materials of the future,” said Bas Korsten, Global Chief Creative Officer at VML. “This ground-breaking collaboration represents the intersection of creative innovation and cutting-edge biotechnology.”
When Can You Buy T-Rex Leather Accessories?
If everything goes according to plan, T-Rex leather products—such as accessories, wallets, or fashion pieces—could be available by the end of 2025. This revolutionary material promises to set a new standard in sustainable luxury, merging science, history, and fashion in one extraordinary package.
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