Scientists have successfully genetically modified chickens to make their feathers resemble those of dinosaurs. This study is part of a broader effort to understand how and why feathers evolved.

Researchers inhibited a gene during embryonic development in chickens to see if it would make their feathers look like those of dinosaurs. Here, we see feather buds on the 12th day of incubation.

As part of their study of feather evolution, scientists have tried to restore the original appearance of chickens. They succeeded, but only temporarily. By inhibiting the key gene Sonic Hedgehog at ...

Chickens treated to inhibit the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway during development grow feathers that resemble ancient ...

What do you get when you combine chicken embryos, a gene named after a video game character, and a couple of scientists? A brand-new study that’s confirmed a key element in feather evolution ...

eventually producing chickens with normal plumage. "Our experiments show that while a transient disturbance in the development of foot scales can permanently turn them into feathers, it is much ...

Tweaking the Sonic Hedgehog gene can transform different aspects of development in chickens. For instance, transient over-expression of the gene can permanently turn feet scales into feathers. But ...

originate from simple appendages known as proto-feathers, which were present in certain dinosaurs.By studying embryonic development of the chicken, researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE ...