The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to scientists David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper for their pioneering work on the structure of proteins, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Wednesday. The prestigious award comes with a prize of 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million).
David Baker received half of the prize for his work on “computational protein design,” while the other half was jointly awarded to Demis Hassabis and John Jumper for their advancements in “protein structure prediction.” These breakthroughs have significant implications for biological research, medicine, and biotechnology, as understanding protein structures is crucial for unraveling the mechanisms of diseases and designing targeted therapies.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is the third award announced this week, following those in medicine and physics. It is one of the most respected global recognitions for scientific achievement, having been established by the will of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, in 1895. The prizes, awarded since 1901, recognize individuals who have made the greatest contributions to humanity in various fields including medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, and peace.
Alfred Nobel, whose own work as an inventor was closely tied to chemistry, likely considered this field especially important. Past laureates have included legendary figures like Marie Curie and Ernest Rutherford, whose work on radioactivity changed the course of science. Last year, the chemistry prize was awarded to Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, and Aleksey Ekimov for their discovery of quantum dots, which have been applied in LED technology, medical imaging, and other industries.
The winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry will receive their medals from Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf on December 10, followed by a grand banquet at Stockholm City Hall. This tradition marks the culmination of Nobel week, celebrating the contributions of the world’s leading scientists and thinkers.
The Nobel Prize remains a hallmark of scientific excellence, and this year’s recipients are being honored for their work, which could transform the fields of molecular biology and drug development.
