Embryonic stem cells and their genetic modification Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine 2007

The derivation of embryonic stem cells from mice and the development of techniques that allow for targeted manipulation of its genome have allowed for the generation of mice with desired mutations. This is what led to the announcement in Stockholm in 2007 — “The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute today decided to award the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2007 jointly to Mario R Capecchi, Martin J Evans and Oliver Smithies for their discoveries of Principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice by the use of embryonic stem cells”. Martin J Evans was recognised for his derivation and establishment of mouse embryonic stem cells while Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies were honoured for techniques that allowed site-specific modification of sequences within the genome of these cells. Such cells were then used to generate animals that had their genome altered specifically and at desired locations. For this valuable body of work, all three shared the prize equally. To date, almost half of the genes in the mouse genome have been modified using their techniques. This has led to a better understanding of mammalian physiology, development and diseases. Mitradas M. Panicker is on the faculty of the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India. His research interests include stem cells, serotonin and its receptors and neurobiology.