In 2018, Tim Cernak, a chemist with nearly two decades of experience in Big Pharma, made a pivotal career shift. Having developed targeted therapies for diseases like cancer, HIV, and diabetes at Merck, Cernak felt compelled to apply his pharmaceutical expertise to address ecological challenges. His passion for nature and growing concerns over the adverse effects of human medications on wildlife led him to explore how his skills could be used to create tailored treatments for animals. For example, the common antifungal itraconazole, a standard treatment for frogs afflicted with a deadly skin infection, often proves fatal for these amphibians.
Now serving as an associate professor at the University of Michigan, Cernak’s innovative work spans a variety of species, from Gila monsters battling parasites to bald eagles suffering from avian flu. His approach, which he defines as “conservation chemistry,” leverages advancements in artificial intelligence to revolutionize drug design for the animal kingdom. Utilizing Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold model, he can visualize the three-dimensional structures of mutant proteins, allowing for rapid identification of potential new drugs that can effectively target these proteins. This process is significantly expedited through laboratory automation, enabling the testing of up to 1,500 compounds a day.
Cernak’s commitment to treating a wide range of creatures reflects his broad curiosity. His work has included developing treatments for loggerhead sea turtles affected by contagious tumors and crafting precision insecticides to protect hemlock trees from invasive pests. He acknowledges the historical complexities surrounding chemical use in conservation, citing past instances where chemical solutions led to ecological disasters. Despite these challenges, Cernak believes that integrating chemists into conservation efforts is vital for creating cutting-edge solutions to the ongoing biodiversity crisis. As he aptly puts it, there’s a stark contrast between the high-tech advancements in human medicine and the outdated tools often employed in wildlife preservation. By harnessing modern chemistry, Cernak aims to bridge this gap and contribute to the well-being of Earth’s ecosystems.
Source: Job titles of the future: Nature’s drug designer via MIT Technology Review