Some common life-saving medicines, such as insulin, are made of proteins so large and fragile that they need to be injected instead of ingested as pills. But a new generation of medicine -- made from smaller, more durable proteins known as peptides -- is on its way. In a quick, informative talk, molecular engineer and TED Fellow Christopher Bahl explains how he's using computational design to create powerful peptides that could one day neutralize the flu, protect against botulism poisoning and even stop cancer cells from growing.

Christopher Bahl: A new type of medicine, custom-made with tiny proteins

A new type of medicine, custom-made with tiny proteins

Revolutionary constrained peptides, merging biologics' specificity with drug durability, open a new frontier in medicine.

Innovative constrained peptide drugs, crafted from scratch, herald a future where diseases meet their match with precision.

Designer peptides, neutralizing flu to halting cancer, showcase the dawn of tailored medicines with groundbreaking potential.