Protein researchers win Nobel Prize for chemistry

The Nobel Committee for Chemistry awarded its 2024 Nobel Prize to University of Washington Professor David Baker and artificial intelligence researchers Demis Hassabis and John Jumper. Baker succeeded in building entirely new kinds of proteins, a feat previously thought next to impossible, according to the committee. Hassabis and Jumper developed an artificial intelligence engine that could predict the vastly complex and intricate structures of most of the 200 million proteins identified by researchers throughout history.

What does all this mean? Both breakthroughs hold vast potential for medicinal use, the Nobel committee noted. Baker’s research in designing proteins could lead to the development of more effective vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and other medical products. Hassabis and Jumper’s research could allow medical professionals to better understand antibiotic resistance and create pictures of enzymes that can break down plastics, according to the committee.

Dig deeper: Read Heather Frank’s report in Beginnings about how research could solve blood compatibility problems.