Lex Fridman Podcast #153 – Dmitry Korkin: Evolution of Proteins, Viruses, Life, and AI
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Jan 11, 2021 Dmitry Korkin, a Professor of bioinformatics and computational biology at WPI, dives into the fascinating world of proteins and viruses. He explains how proteins are the building blocks of life and discusses the complexities of the spike protein and viral mutations, highlighting the ongoing battle between viral adaptation and human vaccination efforts. Korkin also explores the evolution of proteins and the revolutionary impact of AI, particularly in protein folding, showcasing how technology is shaping our understanding of biology.
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Protein Domains as Building Blocks
- Proteins are the basic biological units carrying out cell functions.
- Protein domains, the structural units within proteins, are crucial building blocks for protein function and evolution.
Spike Protein Complexity and Function
- The spike protein is complex, forming a trimer to function and attaching to the ACE2 receptor.
- It has receptor binding domains (RBDs) that untangle for receptor attachment, with mutations potentially affecting the dynamics.
Targeting the M-dimer
- Understanding the virus's structure is crucial for developing treatments.
- Targeting the M-dimer, part of the virus's outer shell, is a promising attack vector due to its evolutionary stability.
