Toshihumi Sawada
Papers
1
Total Citations
8
H-Index
1
About
Toshihumi Sawada is a structural biologist whose work bridges the gap between high-throughput crystallography and practical drug discovery. His primary research focuses on developing automated systems for protein crystallography, particularly in the context of ligand screening and heavy-atom derivatization for experimental phasing. Sawada’s most notable contribution is the creation of **Autolabo**, an automated system for ligand-soaking experiments with protein crystals, published in 2010. This innovation addresses a critical bottleneck in structural biology: the labor-intensive and repetitive nature of preparing derivative crystals for phasing and conducting large-scale ligand screens. By automating the soaking process, Autolabo not only accelerates data collection but also reduces the risk of human contact with hazardous chemicals, enhancing laboratory safety. While the paper has garnered 8 citations, its impact is felt more in the practical streamlining of crystallographic workflows than in raw citation numbers. Sawada’s work exemplifies how engineering solutions can transform fundamental research, making him a key figure in the push toward more efficient, automated structural biology pipelines.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1