John B. Fenn

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Fenn ESI Instrument

John Bennett Fenn (June 15, 1917 – December 10, 2010) was an American chemist who, along with Koichi Tanaka and Kurt Wüthrich, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2002 for his work in the development of methods for the identification and structure analyses of biological macromolecules, specifically for his pioneering work in the development of Electrospray Ionization (ESI), a technique used in mass spectrometry. This groundbreaking work has had a profound impact on the field of analytical chemistry, enabling scientists to analyze biological molecules in a way that was not possible before.

Early Life and Education

John B. Fenn was born in New York City, USA. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Berea College in Kentucky in 1937 and went on to complete his Ph.D. in chemistry at Yale University in 1940. His doctoral research focused on the mechanisms of chemical reactions, laying the groundwork for his later contributions to the field of mass spectrometry.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Fenn embarked on a career in both academia and industry. He worked for several companies, including Monsanto and Project SQUID, a postwar research project on jet propulsion. In 1962, he returned to academia, joining the faculty of Yale University where he began his pioneering work on electrospray ionization. In 1994, he moved to Virginia Commonwealth University, where he continued his research until his retirement.

Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2002 was awarded to John B. Fenn for his development of electrospray ionization for mass spectrometry, which made it possible to analyze biological macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids in a detailed and precise manner. This technique revolutionized the field of analytical chemistry, providing a tool that is essential for the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Fenn's work has enabled countless scientific discoveries and advancements, particularly in the understanding of the complex machinery of life.

Impact and Legacy

John B. Fenn's contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly through his development of electrospray ionization, have left a lasting legacy. His work has facilitated the growth of proteomics and other areas of research that rely on the analysis of large biomolecules. Today, ESI-MS is a cornerstone technique in laboratories around the world, used for a wide range of applications from drug discovery to environmental analysis.

Death

John B. Fenn passed away on December 10, 2010, at the age of 93. His passing was mourned by the scientific community, but his legacy lives on through the continued use and development of ESI-MS and its applications in science and medicine.

See Also

• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Mass spectrometry
• Analytical chemistry
• Proteomics