Nobel Prize in chemistry honors 3 scientists who used AI to design proteins — life’s building blocks

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper for their groundbreaking work in using artificial intelligence to design and predict the structures of proteins. Proteins, which are complex molecules essential to life, have long been a focus of scientific research due to their intricate structures and functions. The laureates' work has revolutionized the field of biochemistry by making it possible to efficiently design new proteins, a challenge that has persisted for decades. Their innovations promise to transform the development of medicines, materials, and even solutions for environmental issues.

David Baker, a biochemist at the University of Washington, developed a computer program called Rosetta that helps scientists design new proteins by analyzing data from existing proteins. Meanwhile, Hassabis and Jumper, researchers at Google DeepMind, created AlphaFold, an AI model capable of predicting the structure of nearly all known proteins within seconds. This breakthrough has allowed researchers to decode protein structures much faster than traditional experimental methods, enabling faster scientific advancements. The collaboration between Baker’s and DeepMind’s teams highlighted the immense potential of AI in protein research.

The ability to custom-design proteins could lead to significant medical advancements, such as new medicines, vaccines, and treatments that target specific parts of the body. Additionally, these new proteins could have applications in solving environmental problems, like developing enzymes to break down plastics or other pollutants. The laureates’ achievements not only represent a leap forward in biochemistry but also demonstrate how AI can accelerate scientific discoveries, offering promising solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.