Machine learning pioneers win 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for protein structure breakthroughs

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker for their work using machine learning to predict protein structures. This research, originating from DeepMind, marks a shift from traditional academic settings to tech-driven solutions. Previously, predicting protein shapes was a major challenge in biology. The development of AlphaFold2 allowed for accurate predictions of over 200 million protein structures, significantly advancing research in biology and medicine. DeepMind's new AlphaFold3 can now identify potential drug binding sites, enhancing drug design efforts. This collaboration with pharmaceutical companies through Isomorphic Labs aims to apply these advancements in real-world drug development.