Testing genes



When dinosaur genes are determined from DNA from either bones, amber of gene comparison, it is unknown if those sequences are really functional. The functionality of a gene can be tested by either comparison with known sequences or by inserting it into cells.

Impact of errors
There are many sources of errors in the sequences. One critic wrote about this problem:

Even if you take your best guess with similar genes from modern reptiles, you’d fail. If even one base pair (denoted by those A, T, C, and G letters) is off, an entire gene can be non-functional.

It is true that a single error in the sequence (a ) can make a gene non-functional. , a blood disorder, is caused by one point mutation in the β-globin chain of haemoglobin.

Transfection
The common practice to test a gene is to insert it into a group of cells. When the gene is succesfully build into the genome of the cells, the gene's functionality can be tested. Dr. Chang and his team succesfully used this method to test a Triassic archosaur gene.