{"version":1,"type":"story","url":"https://digestai.news/story/colossal-introduces-genomorph-ai-to-target-dodo-gene-editing-sites","json":"https://digestai.news/story/colossal-introduces-genomorph-ai-to-target-dodo-gene-editing-sites.json","markdown":"https://digestai.news/story/colossal-introduces-genomorph-ai-to-target-dodo-gene-editing-sites.md","slug":"colossal-introduces-genomorph-ai-to-target-dodo-gene-editing-sites","headline":"Colossal introduces GenoMorph AI to target dodo gene-editing sites","summary":"Colossal Biosciences announced **GenoMorph**, an AI platform designed to identify gene-editing targets in species with limited genomic data. The Dallas-based company, co-founded by Ben Lamm and George Church, claims the system pinpointed **2,300 candidate regulatory DNA elements** linked to avian beak size and shape for its dodo de-extinction project. GenoMorph combines comparative genomics, developmental biology, and 3D morphology to predict regulatory DNA activity during development, using data from **70+ bird species** and **hundreds of embryonic samples** across six stages and three facial regions.\n\nColossal also reported progress on its dodo genome assembly, now covering **95% of bases at least five-fold**, with an average coverage of **65-fold**. The company expanded its Nicobar pigeon colony to **36 birds**, derived primordial germ cells from eggs, and hatched the first chicken embryonic-stem-cell chimeras. A lipid-nanoparticle system for embryo editing was tested in rock dove and duck embryos, with preliminary results validating **Runx2** as a craniofacial regulator. GenoMorph’s findings are being tested in Nicobar pigeons, with confirmed targets prioritized for precision genome editing.","keyPoints":["GenoMorph AI identifies **2,300 regulatory DNA elements** linked to dodo beak traits using AI and 3D morphology","Colossal’s dodo genome now has **95% base coverage at ≥5x**, up from prior gaps in assembly","New lipid-nanoparticle system improves embryo viability for gene-editing tools in birds"],"whyItMatters":"GenoMorph could accelerate de-extinction efforts by automating target selection for gene-editing in species with sparse genomic data, reducing reliance on trial-and-error experiments. The platform’s success with pigeons and chickens may extend to other extinct species with limited genetic records.","category":{"slug":"research","name":"Research","url":"https://digestai.news/category/research"},"entities":{"companies":["Colossal Biosciences"],"models":["GenoMorph"],"people":["Ben Lamm","George Church","Beth Shapiro","Anna Keyte"]},"firstPublishedAt":"2026-10-14T21:16:15Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-14T21:16:15Z","sourceCount":1,"hasPrimarySource":false,"sources":[{"outlet":"Unite.AI","title":"Colossal Unveils GenoMorph AI to Identify Dodo Gene-Editing Targets","url":"https://unite.ai/colossal-unveils-genomorph-ai-to-identify-dodo-gene-editing-targets","publishedAt":"2026-10-14T21:16:15Z","type":"press","primary":false,"lead":true}],"sourceNotes":null,"discussions":[],"thread":null,"cite":{"text":"Digest AI, \"Colossal introduces GenoMorph AI to target dodo gene-editing sites\", 14 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/colossal-introduces-genomorph-ai-to-target-dodo-gene-editing-sites","publisher":"Digest AI","title":"Colossal introduces GenoMorph AI to target dodo gene-editing sites","datePublished":"2026-10-14T21:16:15Z","url":"https://digestai.news/story/colossal-introduces-genomorph-ai-to-target-dodo-gene-editing-sites"},"generatedBy":"Written by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources; the sources are the record.","license":"Headlines, digests and key points are written by Digest AI and may be quoted with a link to the story page. Linked articles belong to their publishers. Terms: https://digestai.news/terms#reuse"}