Latest posts

  • David Baker on AI, open science, and building biotech startups

    David Baker on AI, open science, and building biotech startups

    Our director recently share his thoughts on the impact of AI on life science startups. He spoke with Jenny Cronin, principal at the AI2 Incubator.

  • Our commitment to responsible AI development

    Our commitment to responsible AI development

    David Baker and over 90 other top scientists in more than 20 countries call for maximizing the benefits and minimizing risks of AI for protein design. They’ve signed a pledge with ten actionable commitments and invited all other researchers in the field to join them. The Institute for Protein Design…

  • From AI to anti-venom: Celebrating our women in science

    From AI to anti-venom: Celebrating our women in science

    To commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the extraordinary women we have had the privilege to work with.

  • David Baker and George Church call for enhanced controls on DNA synthesis

    David Baker and George Church call for enhanced controls on DNA synthesis

    To maintain biosecurity in the age of AI, all synthesized DNA sequences should be screened and logged, according to two leading scientists. Such records could be decrypted and scrutinized in the event of a novel biological threat, a practice that may help deter the misuse of biodesign software. David Baker…

  • Nature: “Seven technologies to watch in 2024”

    Nature: “Seven technologies to watch in 2024”

    AI-enabled protein design is a technology area you’ll want to keep an eye on in the year ahead, according to Nature. With massive datasets to train on and ever more sophisticated deep learning approaches, technologies like our own RFdiffusion All-Atom are opening the door to custom enzymes, advanced biomaterials, and…

  • Nanopore designers receive first commercialization grant

    Nanopore designers receive first commercialization grant

    With support from the Washington Research Foundation, this project aims to create custom protein nanopores that can be integrated into semiconductor devices, unlocking the first direct interface between biology and electronics for multi-omics applications​​.

  • AI generates proteins with exceptional binding strengths

    AI generates proteins with exceptional binding strengths

    This advance could allow scientists to create cheaper alternatives to antibodies for disease detection and treatment. This week we report in Nature an AI-enabled advance in biotechnology with implications for drug development, disease detection, and environmental monitoring. Using a combination of traditional and deep learning based molecular design approaches, we’ve…

  • A new path to carbon storage

    A new path to carbon storage

    Our research shows that custom proteins can drive the growth of limestone-like minerals, a breakthrough that may one day help remove excess carbon from the environment.

  • AstraZeneca to buy Icosavax for $1.1B

    AstraZeneca to buy Icosavax for $1.1B

    Today we learned that Icosavax, a Seattle-based vaccine design company born from innovative research conducted here at the Institute for Protein Design, will be acquired by AstraZeneca in a deal worth up to $1.1 billion. “This is a significant moment for the UW School of Medicine, showcasing how fundamental research…

  • Introducing the Srivatsan Lab

    Introducing the Srivatsan Lab

    We’re excited to announce a new partnership: the Srivatsan Lab has been named an Affiliate Lab of the Institute for Protein Design. This new lab is at the forefront of leveraging protein design and molecular sequencing to uncover the intricate dance between cells and the genes that guide their function.…