David Baker explains his Nobel Prize research on protein design

Professor David Baker was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for computational protein design. Hear him explain what protein design is, why it's important, and where this new field of science is going. 00:00 - Intro 00:08 - What Are Proteins? 00:22 - David's Breakthrough 00:27 - Treating Cancer & Autoimmunity 00:45 - Creating Better Vaccines 01:00 - Stopping Pandemics Threats 01:21 - Breaking Down Pollution 01:37 - New Climate Solutions 01:55 - Advanced Materials & Semiconductors 02:21 - Why David Loves Proteins 03:05 - A New Era of Science 04:09 - David's Journey Into Science 05:03 - "What's next?" 06:34 - "Do you have a dream protein?" 08:32 - The Nobel Prize (UW President Speaking) Proteins are life’s most important molecules. Found in every organism, they perform nearly all biological processes — from cell communication and growth to immunity and replication. And in the words of the Nobel committee, David Baker “has succeeded with the almost impossible feat of building entirely new kinds of proteins.” Baker’s research combines computational and laboratory techniques to create custom proteins with unprecedented precision. The Baker Lab pioneered the field by developing much of the world’s most popular and effective software for computational protein design, including the Rosetta program. The lab also succeeded in creating the first protein with a novel 3D shape, an inert molecule called Top7. It has since produced several thousand new proteins, including molecules that neutralize viruses, target cancer cells, and even serve as catalysts for chemical reactions. Joining the ranks of Nobel Laureates is a testament to Baker’s dedication, innovation, and the far-reaching implications of his work and that of his co-awardees, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper of Google DeepMind. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these remarkable scientists and remain committed to nurturing world-changing research. Baker Lab: https://www.bakerlab.org/ UW Institute for Protein Design: https://www.ipd.uw.edu/ 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2024/summary/ This video is an edited version of a UW Medicine press conference that occurred October 9, 2024, the day the award was announced. FULL press conference: https://youtu.be/jhTgd5MCpdU For press inquiries, please email [email protected].