Fiona Smith
Papers
1
Total Citations
58
H-Index
1
About
Fiona Smith is a pioneering figure in cellular signaling and drug discovery, best known for her foundational work on high-throughput measurement of intracellular calcium dynamics. Her most-cited paper, "Measuring Intracellular Calcium Fluxes in High Throughput Mode" (2003, 58 citations), revolutionized the pharmaceutical industry by enabling real-time, scalable detection of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activation. This breakthrough allowed researchers to pharmacologically characterize GPCRs and screen for novel surrogate ligands with unprecedented efficiency—a critical advance given that GPCRs are targets for over a third of all FDA-approved drugs. Initially focused on G(q)-coupled receptors, Smith’s methodology laid the groundwork for broader applications in calcium flux assays, accelerating the discovery of therapeutics for neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders. Her work bridges fundamental cell biology and industrial-scale drug screening, making her a key contributor to translational pharmacology. Smith’s enduring impact is reflected in the continued citation of her 2003 paper, which remains a standard reference for researchers and students seeking to understand high-throughput calcium imaging. Her achievements exemplify how method-driven innovation can transform both basic science and clinical development.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Measuring Intracellular Calcium Fluxes in High Throughput Mode58 citations · 2003