By Andi Anderson
New research is bringing advanced technology to the fight against highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
Scientists at the University of Michigan are combining artificial intelligence, robotics, and large biological datasets to identify drug options that could help prevent and treat the disease.
The research focuses on the H5Nx subtype of bird flu, a highly contagious virus that has spread rapidly since 2021. The virus has devastated poultry farms across the United States, forcing the loss of millions of turkeys and chickens.
These outbreaks have disrupted food supply chains and contributed to higher food prices, especially eggs. Bird flu has also spread to cattle in several states, infected wildlife worldwide, and jumped to humans, raising serious public health concerns.
Currently, there are no approved antiviral drugs for treating infected poultry. Farmers must rely mainly on biosecurity and prevention, even as the virus mutates quickly and crosses species.
While treatments exist for humans, resistance can develop rapidly, creating the need for new solutions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported dozens of H5Nx cases in the United States since 2024, including at least two human deaths.
The project is supported by a $2 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture and will run for three years beginning February 2.
The funding is part of the HPAI Poultry Innovation Grand Challenge led by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is investing $100 million in research focused on prevention, treatment, vaccines, and biosecurity.
The interdisciplinary research team includes experts in medicine, chemistry, and pharmacy. Terra Sztain, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry, explained the challenge by saying, “Highly pathogenic avian influenza poses a major threat to agriculture and human health. Treatment is challenging due to rapid drug resistance,” she said. “Our collaborative team is combining state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and experiments to predict and prepare for resistance evolution and develop effective treatment options.”
Tim Cernak emphasized the scale of the issue, stating, “The scale of the avian flu problem is massive, and the pace of viral mutation is rapid.” He added that AI, robotics, and automation can greatly speed up drug discovery.
Adam Lauring highlighted the agricultural impact, saying, “Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a serious problem in agriculture with significant impacts on poultry and dairy farms.” He noted the importance of teamwork across scientific fields to develop effective solutions.
This research aims to protect agriculture, food systems, and public health by staying ahead of a rapidly evolving virus.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-wikoski
Categories: Michigan, Sustainable Agriculture