Paul Lauterbur

Paul Lauterbur

Birth date	1929-05-06
Birth place	Sidney, Ohio, USA
Died	March 27, 2007(2007-03-27) (aged 77)
Place of death	Urbana, Illinois, USA
Nationality	American
Known for	Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Awards	Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2003)

Paul Christian Lauterbur (May 6, 1929 – March 27, 2007) was an American chemist who made significant contributions to the field of medical imaging. He is best known for his pioneering work in the development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), a technique that revolutionized medical diagnostics.

Early Life and Education

Paul Lauterbur was born in Sidney, Ohio. He attended Case Institute of Technology (now part of Case Western Reserve University), where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry. He later obtained his PhD in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.

Career and Research

Lauterbur's early research focused on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, a technique used to determine the structure of molecules. While working at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he developed the idea of using NMR to create images of the body's internal structures, leading to the invention of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Development of MRI

In 1971, Lauterbur published a seminal paper in the journal Nature describing the principles of MRI. His work demonstrated how magnetic field gradients could be used to generate two-dimensional images, a breakthrough that laid the foundation for modern MRI technology.

Awards and Recognition

Paul Lauterbur received numerous awards for his contributions to medical imaging, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2003, which he shared with Peter Mansfield. The award recognized their discoveries concerning MRI, which have had a profound impact on medical diagnostics and patient care.

Personal Life

Lauterbur was married to Joan Dawson, a fellow scientist, and they had two children. He passed away in Urbana, Illinois in 2007.

Legacy

Paul Lauterbur's work on MRI has saved countless lives by enabling early detection and treatment of diseases. His contributions to medical science continue to influence research and clinical practice worldwide.

See Also

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

References

Lauterbur, Paul C.,

 Image Formation by Induced Local Interactions: Examples Employing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, 
 Nature, 
 1973, 
 Vol. 242(Issue: 5394), 
 pp. 190–191, 
 DOI: 10.1038/242190a0,

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2003 Full text,

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External Links

• Nobel Prize Summary

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