In a groundbreaking new study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A, researchers have confirmed the presence of hemoglobin remnants in the bones of Brachylophosaurus canadensis and Tyrannosaurus rex. The significance of this is that it enables researchers to “find the needle (hemoglobin remnants) in the haystack (messy fossil)” by isolating the hemoglobin signal from other more abundant molecules. Confirming Authenticity: Avoiding Sample ContaminationAn important aspect of the study was confirming that the hemoglobin remnants found in the dinosaur fossils were authentic and not the result of contamination. This distinction is vital because it rules out the possibility that the hemoglobin remnants detected in the fossils are contaminants. Understanding this process could help scientists unravel the mystery of how certain biological molecules, like hemoglobin, can persist through time.