AI Advances Bring Dodo Resurrection Closer to Reality

WHO:

Fast Company - Colossal Biosciences, a healthtech genetics company, is leading the effort to bring back the Dodo.

Fast Company - Beth Shapiro is the Chief Science Officer at Colossal Biosciences.

Fast Company - Ben Lamm is the CEO of Colossal Biosciences.

WHAT:

Fast Company - Colossal Biosciences has developed an AI tool called GenoMorph to assist in identifying key DNA targets for the Dodo's resurrection.

Fast Company - The company has narrowed down the list of DNA targets to 2,300 that are associated with Dodo traits.

Inc - Colossal Biosciences has announced the use of GenoMorph to fast-track the return of the Dodo.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The Dodo was once endemic to Mauritius.

WHY:

Fast Company - The goal of Colossal Biosciences is to fill ecological niches by resurrecting extinct species like the Dodo.

Fast Company - The company aims to create a "functional" Dodo by filling in the genetic sequence of a living relative species, a type of pigeon, with Dodo DNA.

HOW:

Fast Company - Colossal's strategy involves editing the genomes of living relatives using preserved DNA from the Dodo.

Fast Company - GenoMorph uses machine learning algorithms to analyze DNA sequence data and 3D skull shapes of birds to identify important genes for Dodo traits.

Fast Company - The company has utilized lipid nanoparticles to conduct genomic editing within an egg for the first time.

(UPDATED October 14, 2026 23:02 UTC)

Colossal Biosciences is spearheading an ambitious project to bring back the Dodo, with Beth Shapiro serving as Chief Science Officer and Ben Lamm as CEO. The company has developed an AI tool called GenoMorph, which has helped narrow down 2,300 DNA targets associated with Dodo traits, and they plan to use preserved DNA from the Dodo to edit the genomes of living relatives, specifically a type of pigeon. In a groundbreaking approach, Colossal has successfully utilized lipid nanoparticles for genomic editing within an egg, marking a significant step toward creating a functional Dodo.