Contents
Koichi Tanaka
The engineer whose soft laser-desorption method helped scientists analyse large biological molecules.
Soft laser desorption · Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Born
- 3 August 1959
- Birthplace
- Japan
More people
Koichi Tanaka
Koichi Tanaka developed an important method while working on mass spectrometers at Shimadzu. His work showed how proteins could be ionised without simply breaking them apart.
Early life
Toyama
Born and raised in Japan’s Hokuriku region.
Engineering
Studied electrical engineering at Tohoku University.
Career
- 1983
Shimadzu
Joined the instrument manufacturer.
- 1985
Key experiment
Found a mixture that helped preserve large molecules during laser ionisation.
- 1987
Scientific presentation
Presented the method to the mass-spectrometry community.
- 2003
Research laboratory
Led Shimadzu’s new laboratory developing mass-spectrometry applications.
Contributions
Soft laser desorption
Used fine metal powder and glycerol in a supporting matrix.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Recognised methods for analysing biological macromolecules.
Research laboratory
Led a Shimadzu laboratory bearing his name.
Beyond the lab
Engineering background
Reached a Nobel-winning discovery through instrument development rather than a conventional chemistry doctorate.
Research role
Continued industrial scientific work after receiving the prize.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Nobel Prize — biography and research ↗Photo: 内閣官房内閣広報室. CC BY 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
