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Foresight Institute Radio

David Baker | De Novo Protein Design

Season 1, Ep. 13

“We use this sort of de novo protein design, to design brand new proteins that block viruses such as the Coronavirus from entering cells.”

David Baker is the director of the Institute for Protein Design, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, the Henrietta and Aubrey Davis Endowed Professor in Biochemistry, and an adjunct professor of genome sciences, bioengineering, chemical engineering, computer science, and physics at the University of Washington. 


In this episode, David Baker from the University of Washington presents breakthrough advancements in de novo protein design. Results are easily transferable to the production scale on a rapid timeline of weeks. Applications of this new technology are vast in breadth and depth. Present interest are designing protein assemblies for molecular machines. Another application is targeting cells with a more accurate computational recognition method. A third application is clinical trials that are underway of a novel vaccine that is highly effective against coronavirus. 


Session Summary: Protein-based Assemblies and Molecular Machines | David Baker, University of Washington - Foresight Institute


The Foresight Institute is a research organization and non-profit that supports the beneficial development of high-impact technologies. Since our founding in 1987 on a vision of guiding powerful technologies, we have continued to evolve into a many-armed organization that focuses on several fields of science and technology that are too ambitious for legacy institutions to support.


Allison Duettmann is the president and CEO of Foresight Institute. She directs the Intelligent Cooperation, Molecular Machines, Biotech & Health Extension, Neurotech, and Space Programs, Fellowships, Prizes, and Tech Trees, and shares this work with the public. She founded Existentialhope.com, co-edited Superintelligence: Coordination & Strategy, co-authored Gaming the Future and co-initiated The Longevity Prize


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