Mario Capecchi

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Mario Renato Capecchi (born October 6, 1937) is an Italian-born American molecular geneticist and a co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with Martin Evans and Oliver Smithies. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells, a technique that has revolutionized the fields of molecular genetics and developmental biology. Capecchi's groundbreaking research has allowed scientists to create specific gene modifications in mice, which has been instrumental in the study of gene function and the genetic basis of human diseases.

Early Life and Education

Mario Capecchi was born in Verona, Italy, in 1937. His early life was marked by hardship; during World War II, he was separated from his mother and lived on the streets and in orphanages until the end of the war. After the war, he was reunited with his mother and they moved to the United States. Capecchi received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and physics from Antioch College in Ohio. He then went on to complete his Ph.D. in biophysics at Harvard University, where he studied under James D. Watson, one of the co-discoverers of the structure of DNA.

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Capecchi continued his research at Harvard Medical School and later joined the faculty of the University of Utah, where he became a distinguished professor of human genetics and biology. It was at the University of Utah that Capecchi began his pioneering work on gene targeting in mice.

Capecchi's research focused on the development of a method to create mice in which specific genes are knocked out, or inactivated. This technique involves introducing a targeted mutation into a mouse embryo's DNA, which is then inserted into a surrogate mother. The resulting offspring carry the mutation in all their cells, allowing researchers to study the effects of the gene's absence on development and health. This method has been crucial in understanding the role of genes in various biological processes and diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Mario Capecchi has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science, including the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research and the National Medal of Science. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has been awarded several honorary doctorates for his scientific achievements.

Legacy

Mario Capecchi's work has had a profound impact on the field of genetics and has opened up new avenues for research into the genetic causes of diseases. His development of gene targeting technology has made it possible to study the function of genes in a precise and controlled manner, leading to significant advances in our understanding of genetic diseases and the development of new therapeutic strategies.

See Also

• Genetic engineering
• Model organism
• Biotechnology
• Gene therapy