AI Accelerates Efforts to Bring Back the Dodo

Colossal Biosciences, a company focused on de-extinction, announced that artificial intelligence is significantly aiding its efforts to resurrect the dodo. Researchers anticipate the flightless bird, which has been extinct for over 350 years, could potentially reappear in the early 2030s. The limited and degraded state of surviving dodo DNA samples makes the analytical power of AI crucial for reconstructing its genetic code.

"De-extinction is as much a data problem as a biology problem," stated Colossal CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm. He explained that AI is being used to understand how regulatory DNA shapes living birds and to identify the specific genetic switches responsible for the dodo's unique anatomical features.

Colossal previously applied its de-extinction technology in 2025, when it successfully sequenced the DNA of the extinct dire wolf. By rewriting the genome of the extant gray wolf, the company brought the Ice Age predator back to life. Other animals on Colossal's de-extinction list include the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger, the moa, and the quagga.

Reviving a bird presents unique challenges compared to mammals. For the dodo, Colossal researchers plan to harvest primordial germ cells (PGCs) from the nicobar pigeon, the dodo's closest living relative. These PGCs will then be genetically edited to incorporate dodo traits. The edited cells will be injected into a developing chick embryo within a domestic chicken egg. If the resulting bird is female, it will eventually lay eggs that could hatch into dodos.

The complexity of reconstructing the dodo's genome, particularly for its distinctive beak, is substantial. The team is focusing on regulatory elements—parts of the genome that control gene expression—rather than just the genes themselves. These regulatory elements dictate which genes are activated or deactivated during development. AI is essential for navigating the intricate network of these elements, especially given the fragmented nature of ancient DNA.

To facilitate this, Colossal developed an AI platform called GenoMorph. This platform analyzes how genetic switches control facial development in various bird embryos. By comparing genomes and skull shapes across more than 70 bird species, including the nicobar pigeon, scientists have identified approximately 2,350 genetic switches potentially related to the dodo's unusual beak. This research builds upon a remarkably complete dodo genome assembled from a single well-preserved specimen using software developed for the dire wolf project.

"For an ancient genome, this one is extraordinary," said Beth Shapiro, Colossal's chief science officer. "There are a few small holes, but far fewer than we usually see with ancient DNA. We’re really not missing much of the dodo genome."

The process is expected to take about five years. Colossal views each de-extinction project as an opportunity to refine its scalable technology platform. Advances made in reconstructing the dodo genome are expected to accelerate future de-extinction efforts for other species.