What AI’s entry into de-extinction research says about modern biology

Artificial intelligence is beginning to play a more direct role in biological research, especially in areas that involve large and complex datasets. In recent years, advances in computing have made it possible to analyse genetic information at a scale that was not practical before. One area where this shift is becoming visible is de-extinction research, which relies heavily on processing and comparing ancient DNA.

Colossal Biosciences is among the organisations exploring how extinct species can be studied using modern genetic tools. This work involves examining ancient DNA recovered from preserved remains and comparing it with DNA from living animals. Since ancient DNA is often fragmented and degraded, analysing it requires extensive data processing, making it a suitable use case for AI-driven systems.

To support this work, Colossal uses software developed by Form Bio, a computational life sciences company that builds advanced tools for handling biological data. Form Bio’s platform applies artificial intelligence to tasks such as organising genetic datasets, running large-scale comparisons, and identifying patterns that may not be immediately visible through manual analysis.


The use of AI in this context reflects a broader change in how biological research is conducted. Instead of researchers spending significant time on data preparation and processing, these tasks are increasingly being handled by computational systems. This allows scientists to focus more on interpreting results and planning experiments, while relying on software to manage the underlying data work.

In de-extinction research, this approach helps researchers examine how extinct animals differed genetically from their closest living relatives. AI-based analysis can surface specific genetic traits and variations more efficiently, providing clearer inputs for further study. While the science itself remains complex and long-term, the tools being used to support it have become more advanced in recent years.

Overall, the collaboration between Colossal Biosciences and Form Bio illustrates a recent development in the application of AI to life sciences. Rather than representing a single breakthrough, it reflects a gradual shift toward data-led research methods, where artificial intelligence is increasingly used as an analytical tool to support complex biological studies.

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