The proteins in nature evolved over millions of years to solve some of the most complex challenges on Earth. Our mission is to create new proteins that solve modern challenges in medicine, technology, and sustainability.
Who We Are
The Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington is a global leader in science. From creating AI technologies recognized as the Breakthrough of the Year to delivering the world’s first computationally designed protein medicine, our work reflects our dual commitment to both generate knowledge and achieve impact.
Our team comprises distinguished researchers and innovators, including our Faculty and Staff, Translational Investigators, and Core R&D Lab members. Each brings their unique interests, expertise, and passion to our collective mission. We are always seeking new collaborators and trainees — please reach out if you’d like to work with us.
Institute Leadership
Director
David Baker, PhD
David oversees research at the Institute. He is 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.
Executive Director
Lynda Stuart, MD, PhD
Lynda is a physician, scientist, and advocate for healthcare as a human right. As Executive Director, she leads translational research and corporate and foundation collaborations. She brings over 20 years of experience in immunology, global health, and product development. She is a Professor of Practice at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Our Dual Commitment: Knowledge and Impact
At the core of our Institute is a belief that fundamental research and practical applications go hand in hand. While we strive for excellence when publishing cutting-edge scientific papers and training the next generation of professors, we also recognize the power of our discoveries to transform lives through new therapies and technologies.
Our unique approach enables us to create spinout companies and foster collaborations with industry partners. We have launched nine spinout companies to date that have together raised more than $1 billion in their efforts to realize the potential of protein design.
Open-Access Principles
We are pioneers of protein science, having developed state-of-the-art software that has revolutionized our approach to understanding and manipulating the molecular world. However, we believe this knowledge is too valuable to keep to ourselves. That’s why we’re committed to open-access principles, offering our groundbreaking software freely to the global scientific community.
The Power of Collaboration
At the Institute for Protein Design, we know that we can achieve far more together than any of us could alone. By joining forces with other innovators, we’re expanding the frontiers of our science and accelerating the journey toward a healthier, more sustainable world.
We’re proud to be part of a vibrant network of knowledge and innovation, having co-authored scientific papers with teams from over 100 institutions worldwide. Furthermore, our trainees have spread across the globe and now contribute their expertise to over 60 colleges and universities. We see this as a powerful ripple effect, with our commitment to open science enabling the spread of knowledge and fostering innovation in diverse settings.
Shaping Tomorrow
Join us on our journey to explore the limitless potential of protein design and unlock a world of possibilities for medicine, technology, and sustainability.