Colossal Biosciences Unveils GenoMorph AI Platform to Accelerate De-Extinction Efforts
Colossal Biosciences announced on Wednesday a new AI platform designed to accelerate its efforts to bring back extinct species, TechCrunch can exclusively report.
The platform, called GenoMorph, combines advanced 3D morphology, comparative genomics, and developmental biology to identify genes that can be edited in de-extinction projects despite limited genetic data. The company is deploying it as part of its effort to resurrect the dodo bird, for which only a scarce number of genomes exist.
The Challenge of Scarce Ancient DNA
By way of comparison, Colossal is working with just one dodo genome, versus the 100 genomes it has obtained for its woolly mammoth de-extinction project. According to the company, mammoth DNA is more plentiful because the colder climates the animal inhabited preserve genetic material far better than the tropics where the dodo lived.
"Normally, scientists can compare many genomes to understand which genetic differences are responsible for certain traits," Colossal CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm told TechCrunch. "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."
How GenoMorph Works
To build GenoMorph, Lamm said the company collected developmental data from chickens, quail, ducks, and pigeons, then combined it with genetic information and 3D skull measurements from more than 70 bird species. Building the platform took over a year of work and draws on Colossal's years of accumulated de-extinction research.
"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," Lamm explained, describing the platform as a "treasure map for the dodo genome." Rather than sifting through countless potential genetic differences, GenoMorph helps the Colossal team zero in on only the variations that matter.
!Illustration of Colossal Biosciences' GenoMorph AI platform
Image Credits: Colossal Labs
Early Results and What's Next
"So far we've identified approximately 2,300 promising DNA editing targets for the dodo cranial facial morphology that we can now test in the lab," Lamm continued. He said GenoMorph will help the company tackle one of its biggest bottlenecks in trying to de-extinct animals: determining which genetic changes actually make an extinct species unique.
As of 2026, Colossal continues to position AI-driven tools like GenoMorph as central to overcoming the data constraints inherent in working with ancient DNA — an approach that could reshape how de-extinction and conservation science move forward.