Why building new proteins from scratch is our new superpower | David Baker

This TED Talks Daily podcast features an interview between Whitney Pennington Rodgers and computational biologist David Baker, a Nobel Prize laureate, discussing the advancements in protein design since his 2019 TED Talk. Baker explains how his team uses AI to design new proteins with specific functions, such as breaking down pollutants, creating more thermo-tolerant crops, and developing new medicines and vaccines, including a COVID-19 vaccine. They also explore the potential for protein design to address challenges nature hasn't optimized for, like plastic degradation and sensing compounds with an artificial nose. Baker emphasizes the importance of open-source methods and accessibility, as well as the need for responsible development to prevent misuse, and expresses optimism about the future of protein design in solving global problems.