David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper win the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work on protein structures and computational design.
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David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. They were recognized for their groundbreaking work on understanding and predicting the structure of proteins.
The announcement was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is one of the most prestigious awards in the world of science. This year, the prize is worth 11 million Swedish crowns, which is equal to about 1.1 million US dollars.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences praised two key discoveries in the field of chemistry. One focused on building proteins in new ways. The other fulfilled a dream scientists had been chasing for 50 years: predicting how proteins are shaped based on their amino acid sequences.
David Baker was awarded half of the prize for his work in computational protein design. This research has helped scientists understand how to build and design proteins using computers.
The other half of the prize was shared between Demis Hassabis and John Jumper for their efforts in protein structure prediction. Their work, particularly with a program called AlphaFold, has changed how scientists look at proteins and how they function.
Proteins are essential for life. They are responsible for many tasks within cells, like building tissue or fighting diseases. Understanding their shape and structure helps scientists develop new medicines and treatments for various diseases.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is the third Nobel Prize handed out each year. It follows the Nobel Prizes for Medicine and Physics, which were given earlier this week.
The Nobel Prizes were created by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor best known for creating dynamite. Nobel wanted to reward people whose work helped humanity the most.
The first prizes were given in 1901, 15 years after Nobel's death. The awards include categories in Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, and Peace. Later, an Economics prize was added, which is funded by the Swedish central bank.
Chemistry was one of Alfred Nobel’s favorite subjects. It was also closely related to his own inventions and work. Though it may not always make big headlines, past winners of the Chemistry Nobel Prize include famous scientists like Ernest Rutherford and Marie Curie.
In 2023, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, and Aleksey Ekimov. They were honored for discovering quantum dots—tiny clusters of atoms. These are used in modern technology, such as LED screens and medical devices that help doctors see blood vessels in tumors.
Winners of the Nobel Prize will receive their medals from the King of Sweden on December 10. After the ceremony, they will be celebrated with a large banquet at Stockholm City Hall.
