Sebastiano Di Pietro
Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
Papers
2
Total Citations
15
H-Index
2
About
Sebastiano Di Pietro is a structural biologist whose work centers on overcoming one of the most stubborn bottlenecks in biocrystallography: protein crystallization. His research focuses on the strategic use of lanthanide-based additives—specifically complexes like [Eu(DPA)₃]³⁻ and Tb-Xo4—to coax recalcitrant proteins into forming diffraction-quality crystals. In his most cited work (2021, 12 citations), Di Pietro systematically analyzed how divalent cations in commercial crystallization kits influence the efficiency of these lanthanide auxiliaries. His findings revealed that the tris-dipicolinate complex’s performance is highly sensitive to buffer composition, a critical insight that allows researchers to fine-tune crystallization screens for better outcomes. By mapping the interplay between metal additives and crystallization conditions, Di Pietro has provided a practical, data-driven framework for improving crystal growth—a contribution that directly accelerates the pace of macromolecular structure determination. His work is particularly valuable for labs tackling challenging membrane proteins or complexes, where traditional crystallization methods often fail.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2