Nobel laureate David Baker uses AI to design novel molecules

David Baker, a leading figure in protein engineering and the director of the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington, recently sat down with WIRED en Español to discuss the next phase of biological design. In the interview, Baker outlined how advances in computational modeling, artificial intelligence, and high‑throughput synthesis are enabling scientists to create proteins and other biomolecules that have never existed in nature, opening new avenues for medicine, industry, and environmental remediation.

Baker emphasized that while the ability to design biology beyond its natural limits promises transformative applications—such as custom enzymes for sustainable manufacturing, novel therapeutics, and engineered organisms for carbon capture—it also introduces significant risks. He warned of potential ecological disruptions, the possibility of misuse in bioterrorism, and the ethical dilemmas posed by creating life forms with unforeseen properties. The conversation concluded with a call for robust regulatory frameworks and interdisciplinary oversight to balance innovation with safety as the field moves forward.