5 challenges we could solve by designing new proteins | David Baker

Summary

This video highlights the incredible potential of computational protein design. It explores how scientists, using advanced technology like the Rosetta program, can now design new proteins from scratch to solve modern challenges like disease, climate change, and ecological issues. By mimicking nature's principles, researchers are designing proteins that could improve vaccines, treat chronic diseases, and create sustainable materials. The speaker emphasizes the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving this protein design revolution, drawing parallels with the digital revolution that transformed technology. It's an exciting look into the future of biotechnology and its transformative impact on society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Proteins are essential for biological functions such as digestion, muscle contraction, neuron firing, and immune response.
• 😀 Proteins are made up of chains of 20 amino acids, and their 3D shapes determine their function.
• 😀 Protein folding is a precise, fast process that shapes proteins into their functional forms.
• 😀 The amino acid sequence of a protein, determined by its gene, dictates its final structure and function.
• 😀 The 'protein folding problem' is challenging due to the vast number of possible protein shapes.
• 😀 Through computational protein design, we can now create entirely new proteins with custom shapes and functions.
• 😀 Advances in protein folding and gene synthesis have made it possible to design thousands of new proteins.
• 😀 Synthetic genes are used to produce these newly designed proteins in bacteria, which can then be tested for functionality.
• 😀 The diversity of possible proteins is astronomically large, enabling us to explore new possibilities for solving modern challenges.
• 😀 Computational protein design can address issues like new diseases, climate change, and ecological challenges, far faster than natural evolution could.
• 😀 The protein design revolution aims to create new vaccines, therapeutics, and materials, revolutionizing medicine and environmental sustainability.

Q & A

What is the role of proteins in our bodies?

Proteins carry out essential biological functions, such as digesting food, contracting muscles, firing neurons, and powering the immune system. They are responsible for nearly all biological processes in the body.

What are proteins made of?

Proteins are linear chains of amino acids. Nature uses an alphabet of 20 amino acids, each with specific chemical properties that allow proteins to fold into unique 3D structures.

How do proteins perform their functions?

The function of a protein is determined by its shape, which is a result of how its amino acid chain folds. The specific folding pattern allows proteins to carry out tasks like binding oxygen (hemoglobin) or breaking down nutrients.

What is the protein folding problem?

The protein folding problem refers to the challenge of predicting how a protein will fold based on its amino acid sequence. It is a complex problem because proteins can adopt an enormous number of potential shapes.

How has the field of protein design evolved?

Advancements in protein folding principles, combined with powerful computing resources, now allow scientists to design entirely new proteins from scratch. These proteins are created on computers, encoded in synthetic genes, and produced in bacteria.

Why is it important to design new proteins?

Designing new proteins is important because nature has only explored a tiny fraction of the possible protein structures. This enables scientists to create proteins that can address current challenges, such as diseases or environmental issues.

How can new proteins be used to improve healthcare?

New proteins are being designed for applications like creating better vaccines, breaking down gluten for celiac disease, and stimulating the immune system to fight cancer. These innovations can significantly improve disease treatment and prevention.

What is the connection between protein design and the digital revolution?

Similar to the digital revolution, which was driven by innovations at places like Bell Labs, the protein design revolution seeks to build an open, collaborative environment to attract top talent and drive major breakthroughs in protein design and applications.

What are some of the grand challenges in protein design?

The five grand challenges include designing a universal flu vaccine, creating new therapeutic candidates using an expanded amino acid alphabet, developing advanced delivery systems for medications, designing smart therapeutics, and creating protein-based materials to address ecological challenges.

How can individuals participate in the protein design revolution?

Individuals can participate by joining initiatives like the 'Foldit' online game or the distributed computing project 'Rosetta@home,' which allows people to contribute computing power to protein folding and design research.