Joanne McCarthy

Papers

Total Citations

111

H-Index

About

Dr. Joanne McCarthy has made transformative contributions to structural biology, particularly in macromolecular crystallography. Her key research areas include the development of automation technologies for sample handling and cryocrystallography, which have streamlined high-throughput protein structure determination. Her most cited work, "Automation of sample mounting for macromolecular crystallography" (2006, 111 citations), introduced the SPINE standard sample holder—a modified, standardized vial and holder design for cryocooled crystals used with robotic sample changers. This innovation addressed critical bottlenecks in crystal mounting, enabling reliable, reproducible automation across synchrotron facilities worldwide. By defining specifications that improved compatibility and reduced manual intervention, McCarthy’s contributions have accelerated structural studies of proteins, including those relevant to drug discovery. Her work is foundational to modern crystallography pipelines, with the SPINE standard adopted by numerous beamlines and laboratories. Beyond this, her research has advanced methods for cryoprotection and data collection, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of structural biology. With over 100 citations on her seminal paper alone, McCarthy’s impact is evident in the widespread adoption of automated sample mounting, which continues to empower researchers in solving complex biological structures.