Colossal introduced GenoMorph, an AI platform using comparative biology to help identify genetic edits for its dodo de-extinction research.
Colossal Biosciences announced GenoMorph on October 14, describing it as a platform to help researchers identify genetic changes to investigate in de-extinction projects. The company is applying it to the dodo, for which it says it has only one genome to work with, compared with about 100 genomes available for its woolly mammoth project.
According to CEO Ben Lamm, GenoMorph combines 3D morphology, comparative genomics and developmental biology. The system draws on developmental data from chickens, quail, ducks and pigeons, alongside genetic information and skull measurements from more than 70 bird species. Colossal says it has used the platform to identify about 2,300 candidate DNA-editing targets related to dodo facial and skull traits. Those are targets for further testing, not confirmed edits or evidence that a dodo has been recreated.
The company also described a separate method using lipid nanoparticles to deliver gene-editing tools into developing bird embryos, allowing researchers to examine the effects of edits without waiting for birds to reach reproductive maturity. Colossal said its Nicobar pigeon colony, involving the dodo’s closest living relative, has grown to 36 birds and that it has created cells that develop into eggs and sperm.
The work addresses a practical problem in studying extinct species: fragmented or scarce ancient DNA makes it difficult to compare many genomes and identify which differences drive specific traits. GenoMorph is intended to narrow the search, while laboratory experiments remain necessary to test whether proposed changes produce the expected results. Lamm said the platform does not edit genes itself, and identifying a possible edit does not establish that it is safe or effective. The next step described by the company is to test the platform’s predictions in the lab.