Three scientists have won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their innovative research on proteins. David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper were recognized for their contributions to understanding and designing proteins.

David Baker received half of the prize for his work on using computers to design new proteins. The other half of the award was shared by Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper for their achievements in predicting the structure of proteins using advanced technology.

The Nobel Committee praised the work of this year’s Chemistry laureates, noting how their research has unlocked the mysteries of proteins using computing and artificial intelligence. The committee found that the long-standing goal of fully understanding and controlling protein structures is now close to being realized due to these major scientific breakthroughs.

David Baker's team wins for designing new proteins with life-changing uses

David Baker, a scientist from the University of Washington, has achieved significant advancements in designing new proteins from the ground up. His research team successfully accomplished the challenging task of creating proteins with specific functions. These newly designed proteins have a variety of practical uses, including the creation of medicines, vaccines, nanomaterials, and tiny sensors. Baker's groundbreaking work offers scientists innovative tools that could have a major impact on biotechnology and healthcare.

The Nobel Committee mentioned that David Baker's team has created many innovative proteins. This progress is seen as very important for future scientific breakthroughs, especially in medical research. These new proteins could lead to advancements in treatments and therapies, making a significant impact on healthcare.

Nobel prize in chemistry
Image Source: UW Medicine

Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper win for AI breakthrough in protein research

Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper, researchers at Google DeepMind in London, were awarded for their AI model, AlphaFold2. This model can predict the structure of nearly all of the 200 million proteins that scientists have identified. Their discovery in 2020 changed how proteins are studied. More than two million researchers from 190 countries have used AlphaFold2, showing how important it is for scientific research.

AlphaFold2 is useful in many areas, such as developing new medicines, studying antibiotic resistance, and even helping protect the environment by predicting the structure of enzymes that can break down plastics. The Nobel Committee praised the AI model for giving researchers more tools to solve difficult biological problems.

The prize includes a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor and $1 million, funded by the estate of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel.

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