Raita Hirose

Papers

Total Citations

164

H-Index

About

Raita Hirose is a pioneering figure in structural genomics, best known for her instrumental role in advancing high-throughput protein crystallography at Japan’s SPring-8 synchrotron. Her research focuses on automated beamline operation and large-scale sample management systems, which have revolutionized how macromolecular structures are determined. Hirose’s most cited work, “RIKEN structural genomics beamlines at the SPring-8; high throughput protein crystallography with automated beamline operation” (2006, 98 citations), details the integration of automated beamline controls that dramatically accelerated data collection for structural biology. Her earlier paper, “Sample management system for a vast amount of frozen crystals at SPring-8” (2004, 66 citations), introduced a pioneering database-driven system for handling thousands of cryogenically preserved protein crystals, enabling efficient, high-volume screening. These contributions were central to the RIKEN Structural Genomics Initiative, one of the world’s largest protein structure projects. By streamlining beamline workflows and sample logistics, Hirose’s work has empowered researchers worldwide to solve protein structures faster, directly impacting drug discovery and our understanding of biological mechanisms. Her achievements remain a cornerstone of modern synchrotron-based structural biology.