computational modeling ai-structure
University of Washington / Institute for Protein Design
Info
Postdoctoral fellow in the David Baker laboratory at the University of Washington Institute for Protein Design. Co-lead developer of RFdiffusion (generative diffusion model for de novo protein structure design) and lead developer of RFdiffusion2 (enzyme active site scaffolding) and RFdiffusion3 (designs for interactions with any biomolecular class). David Baker received the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; Krishna is one of the key next-generation researchers carrying the protein design program forward.
DiffUSE relevance
Protein design generates proteins with specific intended conformations, but understanding how well a designed protein actually samples its intended conformational ensemble (vs. alternative states) is an open question. Diffuse scattering from crystals of designed proteins could provide a unique experimental readout of whether the designed dynamics match predictions.
Key Relationships
- David Baker — postdoc mentor, Nobel 2024
- William H. Sheffler — Baker Lab colleague (RosettaHoles, Batch 2)
- RFdiffusion / RFdiffusion2 / RFdiffusion3 — co-lead author / lead developer
- Rosetta / RoseTTAFold — software lineage
- University of Washington Institute for Protein Design
Sources
- RFdiffusion paper (Watson*, Krishna* et al., Nature 2023): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06415-8
- IPD RFdiffusion3 announcement: https://www.ipd.uw.edu/2025/12/rfdiffusion3-now-available/