David Baker

As a scientist, I am fascinated by biological self-organization. For example, how does the information stored in DNA translate into the intricate world of proteins and cells? The DNA code was solved more than 50 years ago, but the protein folding code has remained one of biology’s greatest challenges. Starting 20 years ago, my research team began using computers to model the structures of proteins. Our work has advanced to the point where we can now not only predict the shape of natural proteins, we can also design completely new ones. In recent years, we have designed from first principles new experimental cancer therapies, vaccines, nanomaterials and more. I believe the emerging field of protein design will fundamentally change how people make medicines, materials and more around the world. Now that the protein folding code is solved, the sky’s the limit.

Designing new biomolecules (proteins) from first principles to address 21st-century challenges in health and technology