VOA科学技术2024--Scientists Win Nobel in Chemistry for Predicting, Designing Proteins

 

Three scientists who developed methods to predict the structure of proteins and build new ones have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

The winners were American David Baker¹, a professor at the University of Washington; Briton Demis Hassabis, head of Google's DeepMind research laboratory in London; and American John Jumper, a top researcher at DeepMind. The lab centers on artificial intelligence (AI) methods.

Protein is one of the most important substances to life on Earth. Baker succeeded in building new kinds of proteins. Hassabis and Jumper solved a problem that had existed for 50 years. They were finally able to use AI to predict the structure of proteins.

The Nobel Committee for Chemistry said the discoveries "hold enormous potential."

For example, committee members said the ability to build new proteins could lead to the discovery of new drugs and vaccines². It could also help scientists develop extremely small materials, called nanomaterials, and small sensors³.

Heiner Linke is Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry. He said the award honored research that made connections for the first time between amino acid sequences and protein structures.

"That was actually a grand challenge in chemistry, and in particular biochemistry" for many years, Linke said.

Designing and predicting proteins

Baker first designed a new protein in 2003. Since then, his research group has produced many different proteins. "It seems that you can almost construct any type of protein now with this technology," said Professor Johan Aqvist of the Nobel committee.

The committee said Hassabis and Jumper created an AI model called AlphaFold2. It has been able to predict the structure of nearly all 200 million proteins researchers have identified.

Linke said, "Proteins are the molecules⁴ that enable life. Proteins are building blocks that form bones, skin, hair and tissue." He added, "To understand how life works, we first need to understand the shape of proteins."

Linke said that in 2020, Hassabis and Jumper were able to use AI methods to finally "crack the code." That made it possible to predict the complex structure of "any known protein in nature."

There are many possible uses for the technology. Researchers should be able to use it to better understand how organisms develop resistance to antibiotics⁵. They might also be able to create images of chemical substances called enzymes⁶ that can break down plastic.

The committee said Baker had developed "computational tools" that enable scientists to design new proteins with new shapes and functions.

Baker noted⁷ that Hassabis and Jumper's work in AI had greatly helped his team.

"The breakthroughs made by Demis and John on protein structure prediction really highlighted to us the power that AI could have," he said. "And that led us to apply these AI methods to protein design and that has greatly increased the power and accuracy."

Baker was asked during a phone call with Nobel officials and reporters if he had a favorite protein. He said it would be difficult to choose. But he noted that one designed during the pandemic proved to be effective in protecting against the coronavirus.

"And I've been very excited about the idea of a nasal spray, of little designed proteins, that would protect against all possible pandemic viruses." Baker said.

Hassabis is a leader in Britain's technology industry. He received a knighthood earlier this year for his work in AI. He helped establish DeepMind in 2010. Google later bought the lab.

DeepMind first gained wide attention by developing an AI system that was able to defeat the human world champion in the Chinese game of Go faster than expected.

This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry is worth about $1 million. Half of the prize will go to Baker. Hassabis and Jumper will share the other half.

Award ceremonies for the 2024 Nobel Prize winners will be held on December 10.

Words in This Story

to crack the code -idiom to discover something that is hidden or very difficult to know

function -n. the job that something does

breakthrough -n. a sudden jump in knowledge or ability

apply -v. to use a method or practice to carry out a task or operation

accuracy -n. exactly showing the true value or condition of something

nasal spray -n. a liquid that is sprayed into the nose to ease discomfort or support health

1 baker   

n.面包师

参考例句：

• The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
• The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。

2 vaccines   

疫苗，痘苗( vaccine的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His team are at the forefront of scientific research into vaccines. 他的小组处于疫苗科研的最前沿。
• The vaccines were kept cool in refrigerators. 疫苗放在冰箱中冷藏。

3 sensors   

n.传感器，灵敏元件( sensor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were more than 2000 sensors here. 这里装有两千多个灵敏元件。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Significant changes have been noted where sensors were exposed to trichloride. 当传感器暴露在三氯化物中时，有很大变化。 来自辞典例句

4 molecules   

分子( molecule的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
• Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。

5 antibiotics   

n.（用作复数）抗生素；（用作单数）抗生物质的研究；抗生素，抗菌素( antibiotic的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• the discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century 20世纪抗生素的发现
• The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics. 医生给我开了抗生素。

6 enzymes   

n. 酶，酵素

参考例句：

• It was said that washing powders containing enzymes remove stains more efficiently. 据说加酶洗衣粉除污更有效。
• Among the enzymes which are particularly effective are pepsin, papain. 在酶当中特别有效的是胃朊酶、木瓜酶。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。