This work was similar to my own MSc thesis:

Researchers at Rockefeller and Yale have used existing gene sequences for rhodopsin to produce a different version of that protein which may have been present in dinosaur eyes. Rhodopsin is an important molecule in vision. The researchers tested this pseudo-dino-rhodopsin and it most closely resembles the protein from present-day birds.

Who would have thought? :)

Recreation of an old dinosaur protein