Colossal Biosciences Reports Dunnart Development Across All Three Artificial Womb Stages in Push Toward Ex-Utero Birth

Using a dialysis-like machine with AI-driven chemical cue delivery, Colossal's Australia lab has bridged the gap between stages two and three of dunnart gestation, with stage one-to-two as the remaining hurdle.

Colossal Biosciences has achieved fat-tailed dunnart development across all three stages of an artificial womb. The system, developed at the company’s Australia lab under chief biology officer Andrew Pask, uses a dialysis-like machine with proprietary algorithms and AI to measure chemical cues from mother and developing animal, determine what gases and nutrients are needed, and deliver them robotically in real time. The transition between stages two and three has been bridged; bridging stages one and two remains the final step.

The dunnart’s gestation lasts 13 days, among the shortest of any mammal. In a separate project, a mouse embryo’s placenta has been implanted into a synthetic biomatrix and has begun to meld with artificial blood vessels. Colossal is targeting the birth of a mammal fully outside a surrogate body within the year.

This story is based on original reporting by Alex Morris for Rolling Stone. Read the full feature on Rolling Stone → https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/colossal-artificial-womb-1235559634/