Journal post from David Baker

This week's issue of Science magazine features an article on the use of Rosetta@Home to design novel proteins which bind tightly to the Spanish Flu (H1N1) Influenza Virus. The paper shows that the experimentally determined atomic structure of the complex between one of the designed proteins and the virus is precisely as in the computer model. The designed proteins block the function of the flu surface protein in biochemical tests, and we are guardedly optimistic that the designs will block flu infection. This is an important milestone for computational protein design (and for distributed computing)--the first atomic level accuracy design of a high affinity protein-protein interface, and the designed proteins are exciting leads for new flu therapeutics. In the next few months, we will be using Rosetta@Home to design proteins that bind tightly and hopefully block other pathogens which cause disease. Thanks to all Rosetta@home users for their invaluable contributions to this research!!