Colossal Biosciences has announced GenoMorph, an AI platform designed to accelerate its de-extinction efforts by identifying genes that could be edited in projects with limited gene data. The company made the announcement on Wednesday and is already using the platform in its work to bring back the dodo.
GenoMorph combines advanced 3D morphology, comparative genomics and developmental biology. Colossal is working with only one complete dodo genome, compared with about 100 genomes obtained for its woolly mammoth project. The company said DNA from the woolly mammoth is more plentiful because the colder climates the animal lived in preserved the DNA better than the tropics where the dodo lived.
Ben Lamm, Colossal CEO and co-founder, told TechCrunch that scientists normally compare many genomes to understand which genetic differences are responsible for certain traits. "We don't have that luxury with ancient DNA from extinct species whose DNA is severely limited, and we can only get a small number of complete genomes," he said.
To build GenoMorph, the company collected developmental data from chickens, quail, ducks and pigeons, and combined it with genetic information and 3D skull measurements from more than 70 bird species. Lamm said the work took more than a year. The AI learns which regions of DNA are active as different birds develop their beaks and facial structures, and uses that information to predict which genetic switches may have given the dodo its iconic appearance. He described the platform as a "treasure map for the dodo genome," allowing the team to focus on the genetic differences that matter rather than searching through many potential differences.