Scientists are one step closer to seeing the return of the long-extinct dodo, with the latest breakthrough by Texas-based Colossal Biosciences. Now, thanks to the efforts of Colossal’s Avian Genetics Group, the company has achieved the culturing of PGCs with pigeons, a pathway that circumvents previous hurdles in avian genetic engineering. This will be crucially important for the company’s aims to revive the extinct dodo, since it helps facilitate modifications that can be passed to future generations of birds. “This breakthrough in culturing pigeon primordial germ cells represents a transformative tool for avian conservation,” said Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s Chief Science Officer. Next of Kin to an Extinct SpeciesAt the heart of Colossal’s dodo project is the Nicobar pigeon, which is the closest living relative to the extinct bird.