Colossal Biosciences uses AI to advance dodo de-extinction project

Colossal Biosciences announced progress in its effort to resurrect the extinct dodo, using AI to identify genetic traits for gene-editing its closest relative, the Nicobar pigeon, with the goal of returning the bird to Mauritius. The Dallas-based company said Wednesday its new AI platform pinpointed genetic changes behind the dodo’s distinctive craniofacial features, informing gene-editing targets to introduce dodo traits into Nicobar pigeon cells. The Nicobar pigeon, native to Southeast Asian islands, has shimmering green and copper feathers and can fly, unlike the dodo, which humans drove to extinction in the 17th century.