Sir Martin J. Evans
Facts
© The Nobel Foundation. Photo: U. Montan
Sir Martin J. Evans
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2007
Born: 1 January 1941, Stroud, United Kingdom
Affiliation at the time of the award: Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
Prize motivation: “for their discoveries of principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice by the use of embryonic stem cells”
Prize share: 1/3
Work
DNA carries organisms' genomes and also determines their vital processes. The ability to artificially alter DNA opens the way to both new scientific understanding and new treatment methods for various illnesses. In 1981 Evans managed to cultivate what are referred to as embryonic stem cells from mice. This achievement opened the way to producing living mice with modified genomes. This advancement allowed Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies to breed live mice with specific genes inactivated, making it possible to elucidate these genes' functions.
Nobel Prizes and laureates
Six prizes were awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. The 12 laureates' work and discoveries range from proteins' structures and machine learning to fighting for a world free of nuclear weapons.
See them all presented here.
