A Day With Nobel Laureate: Nobel Insights Into Shimadzu’s Mass Spectrometry (MS) Technologies
On 19th August, we had the distinct honour of welcoming Nobel Laureate Koichi Tanaka, Executive Research Fellow at Shimadzu Corporation and Head of the Shimadzu-Koichi Tanaka Mass Spectrometry Research Laboratory, at our special event, "A Day with Nobel Laureate" held in his honour.
Awarded The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2002, Tanaka-san was recognized for his pioneering work in developing soft desorption ionization methods for MS, revolutionizing the analysis of biological macromolecules.
A Closer Look Into The Prize-Winning Technology
The prize-winning work, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), is a method that enables the ionization of biological macromolecules, such as proteins that are difficult to ionize due to their susceptibility to decomposition (target material scatters during ionization). Accompanying the above method is a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF/MS), which is a form of mass spectrometer that utilizes differences in time of flight due to size differences of ionized substances (proteins, etc).
The Nobel Prize was awarded for the achievement of enabling accurate analysis of large molecular weights, such as biological macromolecules, through the use of a mixture of glycerin and cobalt powder in a matrix. This method has revolutionized the development work of new drugs.
Hear From Koichi Tanaka: Nobel Insights Into MALDI
During the event, attendees gained firsthand insights from Tanaka-san on MALDI's role in modern science, particularly in early disease detection. As Tanaka-san shared, his dream was "Early detection of various diseases by analyzing just one drop of dried blood."
His vision of diagnosing multiple diseases from a single drop of blood is becoming a reality, and even more so with Shimadzu’s cutting-edge technologies. Leading this advancement is the MALDI series, which builds upon the Nobel Prize-winning technology from 2002.
More innovative technologies include the iMScope QT, which combines high-resolution imaging with precise MS, as well as the Clinical Laboratory Automation Module (CLAM), the world’s first system capable of fully automated sample preparation, streamlining laboratory workflows, and enhancing diagnostic accuracy. Together, these technologies are contributing to the evolution of medical diagnostics, paving the future toward Advanced Healthcare.
Exploring The Frontiers Of Mass Spectrometry
The event also featured presentations from distinguished speakers who highlighted the transformative role of mass spectrometry in various fields:
| Lipidomic Analysis of Human Skin Surface Lipids | by Dr Cheryl Leong, A*STAR Skin Research Labs |
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| Advanced Mass Spectroscopy Imaging Solutions in Ocular Pharmacology | by Prof Thirumurthy Velpandian, All India Institute of Medical Sciences |
| MALDI-TOF for Microbial Verification in Yogurt and Probiotics | by Asst Prof Wang Tianhua, Singapore Institute of Technology |
Leading MS Innovations With Shimadzu’s Proprietary Technologies
With more than 50 years of MS innovations, Shimadzu continues to advance leading-edge technologies today with OAD TOF, the first in the world to provide chemical structural analysis, and the LCMS RX series, known for delivering exceptional performance even in the most challenging and dynamic laboratory environments. Moreover, the iMScope QT system stands out as a revolutionary analytical instrument for visualizing the distribution of compounds in a sample, offering fast, high-resolution imaging for efficient data analysis across a broad range of applications.
Firsthand Experience At The UFMS Future Lab Tour
As the event drew to a close, attendees had the opportunity to explore Shimadzu’s first-ever UFMS Future Lab, which leverages its proprietary UFMSTM technologies. The atmosphere was marked by meaningful discussions and engaging conversations showcasing Shimadzu's latest advancements. We express our sincere gratitude to our customers for their participation, which contributed to a truly insightful and successful gathering.
