image:

The next frontier in protein science is engineering novel amino acid sequences. These sequences determine the exact shape a protein folds into, and that shape ultimately defines what the protein can do.

Credit: copyright: Dek Woolfson

Proteins are essential components of life, carrying out nearly every vital process in organisms. They help protect our genetic material, process the food we eat into energy, and power the biological machines that keep our bodies functioning.

Now imagine designing completely new proteins with functions never found in nature—custom-built for specific tasks in science, medicine, and technology. Protein design aims to achieve just that. It’s an emerging field, giving researchers the tools to construct proteins from scratch to address pressing challenges.

Through this approach, scientists can develop proteins to diagnose or even treat diseases within the body. Furthermore, it opens up environmentally friendly options for industrial processes, like cleaner drug production or proteins that can help degrade waste materials like plastics. The University of Copenhagen is taking a leading role in making these possibilities a reality with a new research center.

CPD to Pioneer Global Advances in Protein Design

Proteins are long chains built from smaller units called amino acids. There are 20 standard amino acids, and the specific sequence in which they appear is what determines the final 3D structure—and with it, the function—of the protein.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognized revolutionary work by scientists who connected the dots between a protein’s amino acid sequence and its shape using artificial intelligence. Among the laureates was a biochemist who demonstrated that proteins could be intentionally engineered using computer models. Building on this foundation, Dek Woolfson and colleagues at the University of Copenhagen aim to push the field further.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Design (CPD) is set to launch in August 2025. It will unite expertise from multiple disciplines—including biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and computer science—from two university faculties to form a top-tier research hub.

Dek Woolfson, an internationally known expert in this field, will serve as Director of the CPD. He was drawn to Copenhagen by the research potential created by recent advancements.

“We now have incredible tools, including AI, for designing proteins with confidence,” says Woolfson. “Even so, there’s a lot of work ahead before we unlock the full scope of what's possible. The CPD will contribute significantly to both basic research and real-world solutions. I’m thrilled to take on the challenge of building and leading this centre.”

Woolfson previously worked at the University of Bristol in the UK, where he led pioneering efforts in synthetic biology and directed initiatives such as BrisSynBio.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has been a strong supporter of this emerging science.

“Designing entirely new proteins from scratch can lead to transformative tools—for creating targeted medical treatments, developing sustainable materials, and even breaking down microplastics,” says Lene Oddershede, Chief Scientific Officer at the Foundation. “The field has come a long way, and with Denmark’s rich history in protein science, we’re in a great position to lead. This grant will help bring basic discoveries to practical use, train future scientists, and make Denmark a centre of protein design in Europe.”

Creating Knowledge, Training Researchers, and Designing New Proteins

Despite what we know, many mysteries remain around how proteins behave. One of the first goals of the CPD is to uncover more about the chemical and physical forces that govern protein function. Another aim is to learn how newly designed proteins can operate in specific surroundings.

“At the CPD, we will create new proteins designed to work under chosen conditions,” says Woolfson. “This means combining the latest computational tools, especially AI, with deep insights from chemistry and physics. Our integrated approach will also prepare the next generation of researchers—whether in chemistry, biology, drug development, or computer science.”

The CPD will be headquartered across the Department of Biology and the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the University of Copenhagen, with contributions from the Chemistry and Computer Science departments. Alongside a strong internal research team, the Centre will support numerous PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows, while also welcoming visiting scientists from Denmark and abroad to ensure its work remains at the highest international standard.

United Expertise with a Clear Scientific Vision

What sets the CPD apart is its commitment to cross-disciplinary teamwork in pursuit of one goal: designing new proteins for the future. This collaborative spirit is crucial, says Dean Bo Jellesmark-Thorsen of the Faculty of Science.

“Protein design is a complex field that doesn't fit neatly into any one discipline,” he notes. “It demands partnership between chemists, computer scientists, biologists, and medical researchers. Our success in setting up the CPD is thanks to excellent collaboration across faculties—and this will be the driving force going forward.”

This sentiment is echoed by the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Bente Stallknecht.

“The CPD was built to harness the collective strengths of various disciplines and institutions,” she says. “Through partnerships within and beyond Denmark, the centre will benefit from shared knowledge and experiences. We are delighted to have attracted Dek Woolfson to lead this effort. His leadership will ensure the CPD becomes a central figure in global protein research, working alongside other institutions on major initiatives.”

Woolfson is no stranger to interdisciplinary science, and his achievements have earned him a Fellowship at the Royal Society in the UK. He has led protein design efforts linking chemistry, biology, and even materials science at the University of Bristol. At CPD, he plans to maintain collaborations and launch new satellite initiatives, such as a partnership in Engineering Biology based at Bristol.

*

Key Points about Protein Design

Proteins are made of amino acid chains, and their function depends on how these chains fold into complex shapes. This folding is determined by the sequence in which the amino acids are arranged, a pattern set by our genes.

Since the 1960s, scientists have tried to understand how a protein’s sequence dictates its folding and function. In 2024, big progress was recognised with the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to researchers who used powerful computer models to solve this puzzle. One portion of the award went to the team at DeepMind, behind the AI AlphaFold, which predicts a protein’s structure based on its sequence. Another part recognised David Baker, who devised ways to figure out which sequences would fold into predetermined shapes.

Their work has turbocharged the field of protein design: the science of crafting entirely new proteins with unique functions. These synthetic proteins can be created by adding artificial genes to bacteria, which then produce the custom proteins.

While challenges remain—especially in reliably creating proteins with precise behaviors—the future is promising. Protein design stands to revolutionize medicine, sustainability, and much more.