Three scientists have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work in computational protein design and protein structure prediction. This year’s laureates, David Baker from the University of Washington School of Medicine and Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper of Google DeepMind, were announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
During a press conference, Heiner Linke, the Chair of the Nobel Committee in Chemistry, highlighted Baker’s contributions, stating, “This is the problem that David Baker solved. He developed computational tools that now enable scientists to design spectacular new proteins with entirely novel shapes and functions, opening endless possibilities for the greatest benefit to humankind.” Erin O’Shea, President of HHMI, praised Baker as an exemplary scientist whose work has already led to numerous medical advancements.
The structure of a protein is determined by the interactions among its atoms and surrounding water molecules. The complexity of these interactions allows for a staggering range of protein shapes, but evolution has explored only a small fraction of these possibilities. Baker’s research aims to decipher the rules governing protein folding to create novel proteins from the ground up.
Baker first became interested in protein folding during his senior year at Harvard. Despite discouragement from professors who claimed the process was poorly understood, he pursued the subject after establishing his own research lab at the University of Washington. In 1998, Baker developed Rosetta, a program that predicts the structures of small proteins from their amino acid sequences. To make the program more accessible, he created a version in 2004 that allowed volunteers to participate in calculations on their home computers, leading to the launch of Rosetta@home. Additionally, he introduced Foldit, an online game enabling players to contribute to protein folding research.
Baker has continued to innovate, introducing RoseTTAFold in 2021, which utilizes deep learning to quickly predict protein structures, significantly reducing the time required for such determinations.
Transitioning from studying existing proteins to designing new ones, Baker and his team engage in de novo protein design, creating sequences that do not exist in nature. Their achievements include designing proteins that combat the flu, catalyze chemical reactions, and even contributed to developing a computationally designed vaccine for COVID-19.
Baker, an HHMI Investigator since 2000 and a member of the National Academy of Sciences, has received numerous accolades, including the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences and the Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences. His recent recognition as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People underscores his contributions to science.
With a passion for addressing contemporary challenges through synthetic proteins, Baker envisions a future where new proteins serve vital functions in medicine, energy, and technology. He remains committed to an all-out approach to problem-solving, emphasizing that significant challenges require rigorous dedication.
HHMI, the largest private biomedical research institution in the U.S., supports scientific discoveries and education aimed at enhancing human health and understanding of biology. Earlier this year, it announced a $500 million investment in artificial intelligence projects in the life sciences.