Latest posts

  • Introducing Co-LOCKR: designed protein logic for cell targeting

    Introducing Co-LOCKR: designed protein logic for cell targeting

    In a new paper [PDF] appearing in Science, a team of IPD researchers together with colleagues at UW Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center demonstrate a new way to precisely target cells — including those that look almost exactly like their neighbors. They designed nanoscale devices made of synthetic proteins that target a therapeutic…

  • Annual Report 2020

    Annual Report 2020

    From our COVID-19 response to spinout highlights, we are pleased to present this overview of the progress made at the Institute for Protein Design during the past year. Annual Report 2020

  • De novo nanoparticles as vaccine scaffolds

    De novo nanoparticles as vaccine scaffolds

    IPD researchers have developed a new vaccine design strategy that could confer improved immunity against certain viruses, including those that cause AIDS, the flu, and COVID-19. Using this technique, viral antigens are attached to the surface of self-assembling, de novo designed protein nanoparticles. This enables an unprecedented level of control over the…

  • Dr. Berger selected for WE-REACH funding

    Dr. Berger selected for WE-REACH funding

      The Washington Entrepreneurial Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (WE-REACH) has announced its first awards to facilitate early-stage product development for two biomedical innovations. WE-REACH invests up to $200,000 per awarded project. Funding comes from the NIH with matching support from our partners at the Institute of Translational Health Sciences,…

  • Rosetta Commons Black Lives Matter Statement

    Rosetta Commons Black Lives Matter Statement

    Trigger warning: mentions acts of violence and racism We, as members of the Rosetta Commons, recognize the grief and frustration of many members of our community and reaffirm our commitment to the safety and dignity of Black lives. The past few months have been traumatic. The recent murders of George…

  • Introducing UWARN: The United World Antiviral Research Network

    Introducing UWARN: The United World Antiviral Research Network

    The newly formed United World Antiviral Research Network (UWARN) will bring together researchers from institutions in several countries to spot and confront emerging pandemic viruses. The network will provide surveillance for emerging pandemic viruses, develop urgently needed diagnostics and therapeutics, and expand understanding of viral immune responses, which is key to…

  • With an emergency meeting, RosettaCommons aims to accelerate COVID-19 research

    With an emergency meeting, RosettaCommons aims to accelerate COVID-19 research

    On the day the number of confirmed global COVID-19 infections crossed one million, a team of over three hundred scientists from around the world kicked off a virtual conference aimed at stopping the virus. The event was an emergency meeting of member labs from the RosettaCommons, a consortium of over…

  • 5 questions about designing coronavirus vaccines from our Reddit AMA

    5 questions about designing coronavirus vaccines from our Reddit AMA

    Researchers from our vaccine design team recently participated in a Reddit ‘Ask Me Anything’ about our SARS-CoV-2 vaccine research. Reddit users asked over a hundred questions by the time the live event ended — we are sorry we could not address them all.  We were lucky to be joined by…

  • De novo design of protein logic gates

    De novo design of protein logic gates

    The same basic tools that allow computers to function are now being used to control life at the molecular level, with implications for future medicines and synthetic biology.  Together with collaborators, we have created artificial proteins that function as molecular logic gates. These tools, like their electronic counterparts, can be…

  • Volunteers rally to Rosetta@Home to stop COVID-19

    Volunteers rally to Rosetta@Home to stop COVID-19

    As schools, museums, offices and stores shutter to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, millions of people are now finding themselves stuck at home. Fortunately, even in these trying times, there are are small steps that anyone can be take to help combat COVID-19. One option is to donate…