David Baker (biochemist)

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DBaker SparkPlugMtn July2013

David Baker is an American biochemist and a professor of biochemistry at the University of Washington. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of protein folding and protein design. Baker is the head of the Institute for Protein Design (IPD) at the University of Washington.

Early Life and Education

David Baker was born in Seattle, Washington. He completed his undergraduate studies in biology at Harvard University and earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.

Career

Baker's research focuses on the computational design of new proteins with novel functions. He has developed several computational tools and methods for protein design, including the Rosetta software suite. His work has significant implications for drug discovery, enzyme engineering, and synthetic biology.

Institute for Protein Design

The Institute for Protein Design (IPD) was founded by Baker in 2012. The IPD aims to create new proteins to address challenges in medicine, energy, and technology. Under Baker's leadership, the institute has made significant strides in designing proteins that can bind to specific targets, catalyze chemical reactions, and form new materials.

Research Contributions

Baker's research has led to several groundbreaking discoveries in the field of protein engineering. Some of his notable contributions include:

• Development of the Rosetta software for protein structure prediction and design.
• Design of novel proteins that can bind to specific viral targets, which has potential applications in vaccine development.
• Engineering of enzymes with enhanced catalytic properties for industrial applications.

Awards and Honors

David Baker has received numerous awards for his contributions to biochemistry and protein engineering, including:

• The Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology
• The Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
• Election to the National Academy of Sciences

Personal Life

Baker resides in Seattle, Washington, where he continues his research and teaching at the University of Washington.

See Also

• Protein folding
• Protein design
• Rosetta (software)
• Institute for Protein Design