Dmitry Korkin: Computational Biology of Coronavirus | Lex Fridman Podcast #90

Professor Dimitri Korkin of Worcester Polytechnic Institute led a rapid, open-source initiative to reconstruct SARS-CoV-2 protein structures, leveraging computational genomics to identify conserved drug-binding sites and accelerate repurposing efforts. His research distinguishes viral "intelligent" efficiency from traditional biology, emphasizing how asymptomatic spread and minor genomic mutations drive transmission while shaping trade-offs between pathogenicity and contagion. This work underscores the critical role of global data sharing and agent-based modeling in refining containment strategies and advancing the development of universal vaccines against evolving strains.