To Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, from DeepMind, and to David Baker, leader of the Institute for Protein Design
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In summary: because the research and development behind this Nobel Prize unlocked not only new biology but also new computer science, all directly leading to advances for mankind along various fronts.
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded for groundbreaking advances in protein structure prediction and design using AI, reflects the transformative moment we (scientists at the interface between chemistry and biology) are going through. And it is even more notable after another Nobel Prize being awarded, just a day before, to those who developed the very basis of AI.
At its core, the ability to reliably predict protein structures with AI is reshaping both basic and applied biological research. Besides, the work by DeepMind and by Prof. Baker’s Institute for Protein Design established pillars for many others, a huge community indeed, to build upon. You got a glimpse into it in my summary above, but let’s dive into this as I connect you to other blog posts where I develop the subtopics deeper.