"This breakthrough not only challenges previous conceptions about the limitations of protein engineering but also heralds a future where biological function can be custom-tailored with precision akin to software programming," says Professor Tanja Kortemme. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) have achieved a transformative milestone by engineering shapeshifting proteins. This innovation promises to reshape medicine, agriculture, and environmental science.
Published in Science, the UCSF study details the design of synthetic proteins capable of reversible shape changes, mimicking natural proteins. The team, led by Professor Kortemme, leveraged artificial intelligence, particularly the AlphaFold2 program, to predict protein folding structures with unprecedented accuracy. This allowed them to engineer a protein module that can "swing" and bind calcium ions, inducing conformational shifts.
The engineered proteins have vast potential. In medicine, they could lead to a new generation of biosensors that respond to disease biomarkers, triggering early-warning signals or targeted therapies. In agriculture, these proteins could enhance plant resilience to environmental stresses, improving crop yields. Furthermore, they could be used in environmental applications to degrade pollutants or inspire self-healing materials.