Colossal Biosciences Unveils GenoMorph, an AI Tool That Has Identified 2,300 DNA Targets for Dodo Reconstruction

Trained on data from four living bird species, the platform has already pinpointed 2,300 DNA targets shaping the dodo’s beak and facial structure — a breakthrough for a species whose DNA degrades faster than the mammoth’s.

Colossal Biosciences has a new AI tool. The platform, called GenoMorph and trained on developmental data from quails, ducks, chickens, and pigeons, is designed to map genetic targets for dodo reconstruction; 2,300 DNA targets shaping the bird’s beak and facial structure have already been identified.

The dodo genome is fragile. Native to the hot, wet climate of Mauritius, dodo DNA degrades quickly; Colossal has assembled only one high-quality dodo genome, compared to 104 for the woolly mammoth. GenoMorph acts as a funnel; it separates the genetic code core to the dodo’s appearance from natural variation to find which edits matter most.

This story is based on original reporting by Divya Bhardwaj for Inc. Read the full feature on Inc. → https://www.inc.com/divya-bhardwaj/de-extinction-breakthrough-how-ai-just-brought-the-dodo-1-step-closer-to-reality/91416856