The intriguing story that went viral online gained significant global attention in March 2026 and showed how a determined individual combined his data expertise with advanced AI tools to achieve what was previously considered impossible for an individual. Paul Conyngham, an Australian AI and data analytics expert, refused to accept a terminal diagnosis for his rescue dog, Rosie, who had aggressive mast cell cancer and was given only months to live despite traditional chemotherapy. The owner tearfully said, “She’s my best friend. Now it’s my turn to fight her.”
Paul spent $3,000 (AUD) to have Rossie’s healthy DNA and tumor DNA sequenced at the UNSW Ramaciotti Center for Genomics, which yielded approximately 300 GB of genetic data. He used ChatGPT as a research assistant to formulate a ‘plan of attack’, research immunotherapy and draft the complex 100-page ethics application needed to administer an experimental drug in Australia.
Technological breakthrough
Paul used Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold to model the 3D structure of Rosie’s mutated proteins. He compared healthy DNA and tumor DNA to detect mutations and used his proprietary machine learning algorithms to identify seven negotiations most likely to trigger an immune response. He then worked with the UNSW RNA Institute to synthesize a personalized mRNA vaccine from his data – the first time such a vaccine has been designed for a dog by a non-scientist. The vaccine led to a significant reduction in Rosie’s primary tumor; her mobility and energy levels returned, allowing her to run and play again.
Although not a complete cure, the treatment has turned a terminal punishment into a manageable condition. Paul is currently working on a second round of vaccine to target the remaining tumor cells that were resistant to the first dose.
Ultimately, this discovery will pave the way for democratizing personalized medicine, potentially making high-quality cancer treatments more accessible and faster to develop for both animals and humans.
