Scientists Win Nobel in Chemistry for Predicting, Designing Proteins
2024-10-10
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1Three scientists who developed methods to predict the structure of proteins and build new ones have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
2The winners were American David Baker, a professor at the University of Washington; Briton Demis Hassabis, head of Google's DeepMind research laboratory in London; and American John Jumper, a top researcher at DeepMind.
3The lab centers on artificial intelligence (AI) methods.
4Protein is one of the most important substances to life on Earth.
5Baker succeeded in building new kinds of proteins.
6Hassabis and Jumper solved a problem that had existed for 50 years.
7They were finally able to use AI to predict the structure of proteins.
8The Nobel Committee for Chemistry said the discoveries "hold enormous potential."
9For example, committee members said the ability to build new proteins could lead to the discovery of new drugs and vaccines.
10It could also help scientists develop extremely small materials, called nanomaterials, and small sensors.
11Heiner Linke is Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.
12He said the award honored research that made connections for the first time between amino acid sequences and protein structures.
13"That was actually a grand challenge in chemistry, and in particular biochemistry" for many years, Linke said.
14Baker first designed a new protein in 2003.
15Since then, his research group has produced many different proteins.
16"It seems that you can almost construct any type of protein now with this technology," said Professor Johan Aqvist of the Nobel committee.
17The committee said Hassabis and Jumper created an AI model called AlphaFold2.
18It has been able to predict the structure of nearly all 200 million proteins researchers have identified.
19Linke said, "Proteins are the molecules that enable life. Proteins are building blocks that form bones, skin, hair and tissue."
20He added, "To understand how life works, we first need to understand the shape of proteins."
21Linke said that in 2020, Hassabis and Jumper were able to use AI methods to finally "crack the code."
22That made it possible to predict the complex structure of "any known protein in nature."
23There are many possible uses for the technology.
24Researchers should be able to use it to better understand how organisms develop resistance to antibiotics.
25They might also be able to create images of chemical substances called enzymes that can break down plastic.
26The committee said Baker had developed "computational tools" that enable scientists to design new proteins with new shapes and functions.
27Baker noted that Hassabis and Jumper's work in AI had greatly helped his team.
28"The breakthroughs made by Demis and John on protein structure prediction really highlighted to us the power that AI could have," he said.
29"And that led us to apply these AI methods to protein design and that has greatly increased the power and accuracy."
30Baker was asked during a phone call with Nobel officials and reporters if he had a favorite protein.
31He said it would be difficult to choose.
32But he noted that one designed during the pandemic proved to be effective in protecting against the coronavirus.
33"And I've been very excited about the idea of a nasal spray, of little designed proteins, that would protect against all possible pandemic viruses." Baker said.
34Hassabis is a leader in Britain's technology industry.
35He received a knighthood earlier this year for his work in AI.
36He helped establish DeepMind in 2010. Google later bought the lab.
37DeepMind first gained wide attention by developing an AI system that was able to defeat the human world champion in the Chinese game of Go faster than expected.
38This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry is worth about $1 million.
39Half of the prize will go to Baker. Hassabis and Jumper will share the other half.
40Award ceremonies for the 2024 Nobel Prize winners will be held on December 10.
41I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1Three scientists who developed methods to predict the structure of proteins and build new ones have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. 2The winners were American David Baker, a professor at the University of Washington; Briton Demis Hassabis, head of Google's DeepMind research laboratory in London; and American John Jumper, a top researcher at DeepMind. The lab centers on artificial intelligence (AI) methods. 3Protein is one of the most important substances to life on Earth. Baker succeeded in building new kinds of proteins. Hassabis and Jumper solved a problem that had existed for 50 years. They were finally able to use AI to predict the structure of proteins. 4The Nobel Committee for Chemistry said the discoveries "hold enormous potential." 5For example, committee members said the ability to build new proteins could lead to the discovery of new drugs and vaccines. It could also help scientists develop extremely small materials, called nanomaterials, and small sensors. 6Heiner Linke is Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry. He said the award honored research that made connections for the first time between amino acid sequences and protein structures. 7"That was actually a grand challenge in chemistry, and in particular biochemistry" for many years, Linke said. 8Designing and predicting proteins 9Baker first designed a new protein in 2003. Since then, his research group has produced many different proteins. "It seems that you can almost construct any type of protein now with this technology," said Professor Johan Aqvist of the Nobel committee. 10The committee said Hassabis and Jumper created an AI model called AlphaFold2. It has been able to predict the structure of nearly all 200 million proteins researchers have identified. 11Linke said, "Proteins are the molecules that enable life. Proteins are building blocks that form bones, skin, hair and tissue." He added, "To understand how life works, we first need to understand the shape of proteins." 12Linke said that in 2020, Hassabis and Jumper were able to use AI methods to finally "crack the code." That made it possible to predict the complex structure of "any known protein in nature." 13There are many possible uses for the technology. Researchers should be able to use it to better understand how organisms develop resistance to antibiotics. They might also be able to create images of chemical substances called enzymes that can break down plastic. 14The committee said Baker had developed "computational tools" that enable scientists to design new proteins with new shapes and functions. 15Baker noted that Hassabis and Jumper's work in AI had greatly helped his team. 16"The breakthroughs made by Demis and John on protein structure prediction really highlighted to us the power that AI could have," he said. "And that led us to apply these AI methods to protein design and that has greatly increased the power and accuracy." 17Baker was asked during a phone call with Nobel officials and reporters if he had a favorite protein. He said it would be difficult to choose. But he noted that one designed during the pandemic proved to be effective in protecting against the coronavirus. 18"And I've been very excited about the idea of a nasal spray, of little designed proteins, that would protect against all possible pandemic viruses." Baker said. 19Hassabis is a leader in Britain's technology industry. He received a knighthood earlier this year for his work in AI. He helped establish DeepMind in 2010. Google later bought the lab. 20DeepMind first gained wide attention by developing an AI system that was able to defeat the human world champion in the Chinese game of Go faster than expected. 21This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry is worth about $1 million. Half of the prize will go to Baker. Hassabis and Jumper will share the other half. 22Award ceremonies for the 2024 Nobel Prize winners will be held on December 10. 23I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 24Daniel Niemann and Mike Corder reported this story for the Associated Press. Mario Ritter, Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. 25_____________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27to crack the code -idiom to discover something that is hidden or very difficult to know 28function -n. the job that something does 29breakthrough -n. a sudden jump in knowledge or ability 30apply -v. to use a method or practice to carry out a task or operation 31accuracy -n. exactly showing the true value or condition of something 32nasal spray -n. a liquid that is sprayed into the nose to ease discomfort or support health 33We want to hear from you. Our comment policy is here.