Biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences has announced significant progress in its ambitious effort to bring back the extinct dodo bird, unveiling a specialized artificial intelligence platform designed to navigate complex genetic data.
The flightless dodo, a three-foot-tall member of the Columbidae family native to Mauritius, was driven to extinction following human settlement and the arrival of invasive species in the 16th century. While researchers previously sequenced a high-quality dodo genome consisting of over a billion base pairs, unlocking that genetic code has remained a monumental challenge. Decoding the raw sequence does not immediately reveal how specific genes control physical traits like skull shape or beak structure.
Introducing GenoMorph and Genetic Targets
To overcome this data bottleneck, Colossal Biosciences developed a new AI tool named GenoMorph. The technology combines comparative genomics, developmental biology, and high-resolution three-dimensional morphology to analyze skull and beak development across more than 70 living bird species. By training on DNA from existing animals, the platform helps scientists identify which sections of the incomplete dodo genome are responsible for its distinct physical traits.
According to the company, the platform has successfully narrowed down approximately 2,300 candidate genes potentially associated with the dodo’s distinctive craniofacial structure and large, curved beak. These specific genetic targets have transitioned from computer modeling into active laboratory experiments. Initial tests have successfully edited the bone-development gene Runx2 in several live bird species, including rock doves and duck embryos, producing visible alterations to the skull and face.
Next Steps and Technological Innovations
Alongside the unveiling of GenoMorph, Colossal’s avian research team published findings detailing an innovation in gene-editing tool delivery. Researchers developed a lipid-nanoparticle delivery method capable of applying gene-editing tools directly to developing bird embryos, a technique proven effective across three different avian species.
The company plans to utilize the Nicobar pigeon—recognized as the dodo’s closest living relative—as a starting point for future genetic engineering work. Colossal reports that its overall analysis of the dodo genome is approximately 95 percent complete.
Despite these technical milestones, company executives and researchers emphasize that de-extinction remains as much a data problem as a biological one. While the identification of 2,300 testable genetic targets marks a concrete step forward, Colossal has not yet announced a definitive timeline or estimated date of arrival for hatching a functional dodo or dodo-like pigeon.
