About Us
The proteins in nature evolved over millions of years to solve life’s most complex problems. Our mission is to create new proteins that address current challenges across medicine, technology, and sustainability.
Who We Are
Founded in 2012, the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington brings together biologists, computer scientists, and other innovators. Our community of faculty, staff, translational investigators, and trainees works across disciplines to develop new technologies and create useful molecules. From breakthrough AI models to the world’s first computationally designed vaccine, our impact extends far beyond our labs.
Current Members
Collaborating Organizations
Spinouts (so far)
We’re always seeking new trainees and collaborators — please reach out if you’d like to work with us.
Institute Leadership
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
David Baker, PhD
David oversees research at the Institute for Protein Design. 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.
Discovery and Impact
We train researchers, publish in top journals, and channel our discoveries into practical technologies that can improve lives. This approach enables us to create companies and foster collaborations with industry partners.
To date, we have launched more than ten spinout companies that together have raised over $2 billion to advance the potential of protein design. As a non-commercial entity, the IPD receives minimal or no direct benefit from these commercial activities.
Open Science
For more than a decade, IPD researchers have developed state-of-the-art software for understanding and manipulating the molecular world. We believe these tools are too valuable to keep to ourselves. That’s why we share our most powerful software freely so that scientists everywhere can use it and build upon it.
Collaboration
Science moves faster when people work together. We’re proud to be part of a global network of innovation, having co-authored research with more than 125 institutions worldwide. Our trainees have also carried their expertise across the globe and now contribute to over 60 colleges and universities. The result is a broad ripple effect, accelerating discoveries in diverse settings.
Shaping Tomorrow
Support our journey to explore the limitless potential of protein design and unlock a world of possibilities for medicine, technology, and sustainability.