Supported by an Amsterdam institute for Immunology and Infectious diseases International Work Visit Grant, PhD candidate Svearike was able to spend a valuable period at the University of Washington (UW), working at the renowned Institute for Protein Design (IPD). This institute, led by Professor David Baker, recently awarded the Nobel Prize in the field of computational protein design, and Professor Neil King, is at the forefront of developing innovative computational tools for protein engineering.
During the visit, Svearike continued working on her PhD project developed under the guidance of Dr. Rogier Sanders at Amsterdam UMC, focusing on the design of novel HIV-1 immunogens. The aim of this project is to create priming immunizations that effectively engage precursor B-cell receptors of neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies, a complex challenge that benefits greatly from advanced computational approaches.
At the IPD, Svearike gained hands-on experience with cutting-edge computational tools such as ProteinMPNN, Rosetta, and AlphaFold, several of which were developed at the institute itself. These techniques have now become central to Svearike’s research, enabling the design of new HIV-1 antigens in-silico, followed by in-vitro testing. This innovative workflow would not have been possible without the opportunity to learn directly from leading experts in the field.
A highlight of the stay was collaborating with Professor Baker, Professor King, and their talented team of students, postdocs, and scientists. This experience provided invaluable insights into the development and application of computational protein design tools, and allowed Svearike to build a network of ambitious researchers both within and beyond the IPD. These connections may lead to future collaborations and provide ongoing support and inspiration.
Overall, the work visit to the University of Washington has been a transformative experience for Svearike’s PhD. Access to advanced research tools, the opportunity to work with world-leading experts, and the mentorship received have all contributed to broadening knowledge, skills, and future opportunities in computational protein design.
For more information contact Svearike Oeverdieck (s.g.a.oeverdieck@amsterdamumc.nl).
Text: Svearike Oeverdieck and Esmée Vesseur
Learn more about our AI&I Work Visit Grant recipients:
Work Visit Grant / Nicholas Pucci’s Research on Antimicrobial Resistance in Tokyo (August 2025)
Work Visit Grant / PhD Candidate Pien van Paassen Visits Murdoch University in Perth Australia (June 2025)
Work Visit Grant / a Journey in Diabetes and Immunology Research (March 2024)