Martin Evans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Martin Evans
FRS FMedSci
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Evans in October 2007
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| Born |
Martin John Evans
1 January 1941 Stroud, Gloucestershire, England
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| Education |
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| Known for | Discovering embryonic stem cells, and development of the knockout mouse and gene targeting. |
| Spouse(s) |
Judith Clare Williams MBE
(m. 1966) |
| Children | Two sons and one daughter |
| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Developmental biology |
| Institutions |
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| Thesis | Studies on the ribonucleic acid of early amphibian embryos |
| Doctoral students | Allan Bradley Elizabeth Robertson |
Sir Martin John Evans is an English biologist born on January 1, 1941. He is famous for his important discoveries in biology.
In 1981, he and Matthew Kaufman were the first to grow mouse embryonic stem cells in a lab. These are special cells that can turn into any type of cell in the body.
Sir Martin Evans also helped create the "knockout mouse". This is a mouse where a specific gene has been turned off or "knocked out." Scientists use these mice to study how genes work and what causes diseases.
In 2007, he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies. They received the award for their work on stem cells and knockout mice. Their discoveries have greatly helped in finding new ways to treat human illnesses.
Contents
Becoming a Scientist: Early Life and Education
Martin Evans was born in Stroud, England, on January 1, 1941. His mother was a teacher, and his father ran a workshop. His father taught him how to use tools and machines.
Martin was a quiet and curious boy who loved science. His parents always encouraged him to learn. He enjoyed old science books and got an electric experiment set for Christmas. He also had a chemistry set, which helped him discover his love for science.
He went to St Dunstan's College where he studied chemistry, physics, and biology. He worked hard to get into the University of Cambridge.
At Cambridge, he studied zoology, botany, and chemistry. He soon became very interested in biochemistry, which is the study of the chemistry of living things. He graduated from Cambridge in 1963.
After Cambridge, he went to University College London. There, he learned important lab skills. He earned his PhD in 1969. His goal was to understand how genes control the development of living things.
Discovering Stem Cells and Knockout Mice
After finishing his studies, Martin Evans became a lecturer at University College London. He taught students and continued his research.
In 1978, he moved to the University of Cambridge. There, in 1980, he started working with Matthew Kaufman. They began to explore how to get embryonic stem cells from early mouse embryos.
After Matthew Kaufman left, Evans continued his important work. He learned the newest lab techniques. He successfully isolated embryonic stem cells from early mouse embryos and grew them in a lab.
He then made changes to these stem cells. He put them into female mice, hoping to create mice with specific genetic changes. This work led to the creation of "knockout mice." These are mice where scientists can turn off certain genes to study their function.
Today, these genetically modified mice are very important for medical research. They help scientists understand human diseases and test new treatments.
In 1999, Sir Martin Evans became a professor at Cardiff University. He worked there until he retired in 2007.
In 2004, he was given the title of Knight Bachelor for his work in stem cell research. This means he is called "Sir Martin Evans." He received this honor from Prince Charles.
In 2007, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He shared this award with Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies. They were honored for their discovery of how to make specific genetic changes in mice using embryonic stem cells.
Personal Life
Martin Evans met his wife, Judith Clare Williams, while he was a student in Cambridge. They married in 1966.
In 1978, they moved from London to Cambridge with their young children. Later, they moved to Cardiff. They have two sons and one daughter.
His wife, Judith, was recognized for her work in nursing in 1993. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and now works with breast cancer charities. Martin Evans also became a trustee for a breast cancer charity.
Awards and Honours
Sir Martin Evans has received many important awards for his scientific work:
- 1993 - Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- 2001 - Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, shared with Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies. This is one of the most respected medical research awards in the United States.
- 2004 - Appointed Knight Bachelor "for services to medical science."
- 2007 - Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies. This is the highest award in science.
- 2009 - Copley Medal of the Royal Society. This is the Royal Society's oldest and most prestigious award.
- 2015 - Elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.
Images for kids
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Evans in October 2007
See also
In Spanish: Martin Evans para niños
