Barbara Rathmann

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Barbara Rathmann is a structural biologist whose work centers on advancing the crystallization of membrane proteins—a notoriously difficult class of biomolecules essential for drug development and cellular signaling. Her most cited contribution, the "MPI tray" (2017), addresses a critical bottleneck in high-throughput structural biology by designing a versatile crystallization plate optimized for membrane proteins. This innovation overcomes the challenges posed by detergents and lipid environments, enabling more reliable and efficient crystal growth. While her citation count reflects a focused, early-career impact, the MPI tray has been adopted in labs seeking to streamline membrane protein structure determination. Rathmann’s work exemplifies how thoughtful engineering of experimental tools can accelerate discoveries in structural biology, making her a key contributor to the infrastructure that supports studies of receptors, transporters, and other membrane-embedded targets. Her achievements highlight the importance of method development in pushing the boundaries of macromolecular crystallography.