Martin Evans

Sir Martin Evans
Evans in October 2007
Sir Martin Evans
Born	Martin John Evans 1 1, 1941
Birthplace	Stroud, Gloucestershire, England
Nationality	British
Occupation	Biologist, academic
Known for	Discovering embryonic stem cells; development of the knockout mouse and gene targeting
Education	Christ's College, Cambridge (BA) University College London (PhD)
Children	3
Awards	Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research (2001) Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2007) Knight Bachelor (2004)

Sir Martin John Evans FLSW (born 1 January 1941) is an English developmental biologist who became one of the most consequential figures in modern biomedical science through his pioneering work on embryonic stem cells and gene targeting. Born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Evans was the first scientist, together with Matthew Kaufman, to isolate and culture mouse embryonic stem cells in a laboratory, an achievement accomplished in 1981 that fundamentally transformed the landscape of genetic research. His subsequent development of techniques to genetically modify these cells and introduce targeted mutations into the mouse genome — creating what became known as the "knockout mouse" — opened a new era in the study of mammalian gene function and disease modeling. For this work, Evans shared the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies, with the Nobel Assembly recognizing their collective contributions to understanding gene function and developing new approaches to treating human illness. Knighted in 2004 for his services to medical science, Evans spent much of his career at Cardiff University, where he served as professor and later as president of the institution.

Early Life

Martin John Evans was born on 1 January 1941 in Stroud, a market town in Gloucestershire, England. Details regarding his parents and family background during his formative years are limited in published sources, though his intellectual aptitude became evident at an early age. Evans developed an interest in the sciences during his school years, and his academic abilities earned him a major scholarship to Christ's College, Cambridge.

His time at Cambridge coincided with a period of extraordinary scientific ferment at the university. The discovery of the structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick at Cambridge in 1953 had set off a revolution in molecular biology and genetics that was still gaining momentum when Evans arrived as an undergraduate. This intellectually charged environment proved formative; Evans became deeply interested in biology and biochemistry, disciplines that were being reshaped by the new understanding of the genetic code and its implications for understanding life at the molecular level.

At Cambridge, Evans received a rigorous grounding in the biological sciences. The university's emphasis on both theoretical understanding and experimental methodology provided him with the intellectual framework that would later underpin his groundbreaking research. His exposure to the cutting-edge genetics work being conducted at Cambridge during this period helped shape his future research interests, particularly his curiosity about how genes control the development of complex organisms from single cells — a question that would ultimately drive his most significant scientific contributions.

Education

Evans won a major scholarship to Christ's College, Cambridge, where he read natural sciences with a focus on biology and biochemistry. The academic environment at Cambridge during this era was uniquely stimulating for a young biologist, as the university was at the forefront of the revolution in molecular genetics.

After completing his undergraduate studies at Cambridge, Evans moved to University College London (UCL) for his doctoral research. At UCL, he was supervised by Elizabeth Deuchar, under whom he learned essential laboratory skills in developmental biology. His doctoral thesis, entitled "Studies on the ribonucleic acid of early amphibian embryos," investigated the role of RNA in the early stages of amphibian development — research that laid important groundwork for his later interest in embryonic development and stem cells. The hands-on experimental training Evans received at UCL proved indispensable, equipping him with the technical proficiency in embryology and cell biology that would be critical to his later achievements in isolating and culturing embryonic stem cells.

Career

Early Research and Move to Cambridge

Following the completion of his doctoral studies at University College London, Evans pursued research in developmental biology. His early career was characterized by an increasing focus on the mechanisms underlying embryonic development in mammals, building upon the knowledge of amphibian embryology he had gained during his PhD research.

In 1978, Evans moved to the Department of Genetics at the University of Cambridge, a return to the institution where he had completed his undergraduate education. This appointment placed him within one of the foremost genetics departments in the world and provided the institutional support and intellectual environment necessary for pursuing ambitious research programmes. At Cambridge, Evans began to concentrate on the question of whether it would be possible to isolate and maintain embryonic stem cells from early mouse embryos — a goal that, if achieved, would have profound implications for the study of mammalian genetics and development.

Isolation of Embryonic Stem Cells

In 1980, Evans began a collaboration with Matthew Kaufman, also at the University of Cambridge, that would produce one of the most important breakthroughs in modern biology. The two scientists set out to isolate embryonic stem cells — undifferentiated cells derived from the early embryo that retain the capacity to develop into any cell type in the body — from mouse blastocysts and to establish these cells in stable laboratory culture.

In 1981, Evans and Kaufman succeeded in this endeavor, becoming the first researchers to culture mouse embryonic stem cells and maintain them in a laboratory setting. They explored a method of using blastocysts for the isolation of these pluripotent cells, demonstrating that it was possible to extract cells from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst and propagate them indefinitely in culture while preserving their ability to differentiate into all cell types of the adult organism. This achievement represented a fundamental advance, as it provided scientists for the first time with a renewable source of embryonic cells that could be studied, manipulated, and potentially used to investigate gene function in living mammals.

The significance of the Evans-Kaufman discovery extended well beyond basic embryology. By establishing embryonic stem cells in culture, they created a platform that would enable the genetic modification of mammals in a precise and controlled manner — a capability that had previously been unattainable.

Development of the Knockout Mouse

After Kaufman left Cambridge, Evans continued and expanded the research programme, upgrading his laboratory techniques to incorporate the newest available technologies in molecular biology and genetics. Evans's critical insight was that embryonic stem cells, once genetically modified in culture, could be reintroduced into mouse blastocysts, which could then be implanted into adult female mice to produce offspring carrying the genetic modification. This approach provided a systematic method for creating mice with specific, targeted alterations to their genomes.

Evans worked to develop this technique, genetically modifying embryonic stem cells and implanting them into adult female mice with the goal of creating genetically modified offspring. The resulting technology — the ability to "knock out" or disable specific genes in mice and observe the consequences — gave rise to the knockout mouse, one of the most powerful tools in biomedical research. By selectively inactivating individual genes and studying the effects on the living animal, scientists could for the first time determine the function of specific genes in health and disease.

The development of gene targeting in mice was achieved through the complementary work of three scientists. While Evans provided the embryonic stem cell platform and the methods for creating chimeric mice carrying targeted mutations, Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies independently developed the technique of homologous recombination in mammalian cells, which allowed scientists to target and modify specific genes with precision. Together, these advances constituted a complete system for creating knockout mice: Capecchi and Smithies's gene targeting methods could be applied to Evans's embryonic stem cells, which could then be used to generate mice carrying the desired genetic modifications.

Evans also trained notable doctoral students during this period, including Allan Bradley and Elizabeth Robertson, who went on to make significant contributions to the field in their own right.

Cardiff University

Evans subsequently moved to Cardiff University in Wales, where he served as a professor in the School of Biosciences. At Cardiff, he continued his research in developmental biology and genetics, building a productive research group and contributing to the university's growing reputation in the biomedical sciences.

Evans's stature within the scientific community and his Nobel Prize recognition brought considerable distinction to Cardiff University. In recognition of his achievements and his contributions to the institution, Evans was appointed as President of Cardiff University, a ceremonial leadership role that reflected his prominence both as a scientist and as a figure within the broader academic community.

Impact on Biomedical Research

The technologies pioneered by Evans and his colleagues have had a transformative effect on biomedical research. Knockout mice became an indispensable tool for studying gene function across virtually every area of biology and medicine. By the early 21st century, thousands of individual genes had been knocked out in mice, providing insights into the genetic basis of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, and many other conditions. The ability to create precise genetic modifications in a model organism allowed researchers to move from correlative studies to direct experimental tests of gene function, accelerating the pace of discovery in genetics and medicine.

Today, genetically modified mice are considered vital for medical research, and the techniques developed by Evans, Capecchi, and Smithies remain foundational to the field of mammalian genetics. The embryonic stem cell culture methods first established by Evans and Kaufman in 1981 also contributed to the broader field of stem cell biology, influencing subsequent efforts to isolate and study embryonic stem cells from other species, including humans.

Personal Life

Martin Evans has three children — two sons and one daughter. Beyond these publicly documented facts, Evans has maintained a relatively private personal life. He has been associated with the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion at St Edmund's College, Cambridge, where he served on the advisory board, reflecting an interest in the dialogue between science and broader societal questions.

Evans has resided in Wales for much of his later career, associated with Cardiff through his long tenure at Cardiff University. His public engagements have largely been connected to his scientific work, including lectures, interviews, and advocacy for the importance of basic scientific research and its applications to human health.

In a telephone interview conducted by the Nobel Foundation shortly after the announcement of his prize in 2007, Evans reflected on the moment he received the news of his award, providing a glimpse into his personal response to the recognition of his life's work.

Recognition

Evans's scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honours spanning several decades.

In 2001, Evans received the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, one of the most respected prizes in biomedical science, often regarded as a precursor to the Nobel Prize. The Lasker Foundation recognized his work on embryonic stem cells and gene targeting in mice.

In 2004, Evans was appointed a Knight Bachelor for his services to medical science, entitling him to use the prefix "Sir."

The pinnacle of recognition came in 2007, when Evans was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared jointly with Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies, "for their discoveries of principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice by the use of embryonic stem cells." The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute cited the trio's work as having created an extraordinarily powerful technology that had fundamentally changed the way scientists study gene function in health and disease. The announcement was covered by media worldwide, including by the Chinese state news service People's Daily.

Evans was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), a distinction reserved for scientists who have made substantial contributions to the improvement of natural knowledge. He was also elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

In 2009, Evans received the Gold Medal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Evans has also received the March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology, further acknowledging his contributions to the understanding of embryonic development.

He received an honorary degree from the University of Bath in 2005. University College London also recognized its distinguished alumnus following his Nobel Prize.

In 2015, Evans was elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW), recognizing his contributions to scholarship and his connection to Wales through his long career at Cardiff University.

Legacy

Martin Evans's scientific legacy rests on contributions that fundamentally altered the trajectory of biomedical research in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The isolation of mouse embryonic stem cells in 1981, achieved with Matthew Kaufman, provided the essential biological material upon which the entire field of gene targeting in mammals was built. Without the ability to culture and manipulate embryonic stem cells, the creation of knockout mice — and the vast body of knowledge about gene function that has resulted — would not have been possible.

The knockout mouse technology that Evans helped develop has become one of the most widely used experimental tools in biology. Thousands of research laboratories around the world employ knockout mice to study the functions of individual genes, to model human diseases, and to test potential therapeutic interventions. The technology has contributed to advances in understanding conditions ranging from cancer and heart disease to obesity, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. The Nobel Committee's recognition in 2007 underscored the breadth and depth of the impact that Evans's work has had across the entire spectrum of biomedical science.

Evans's influence also extends through his students and trainees, who have gone on to make their own significant contributions to genetics and developmental biology. Allan Bradley, who completed his doctoral work under Evans's supervision, went on to become director of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, one of the world's leading genomics research centres, further extending the reach of Evans's scientific lineage.

The principles and methods that Evans helped establish continue to evolve. While newer gene-editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 have expanded the toolkit available to geneticists, the foundational work on embryonic stem cells and gene targeting that Evans pioneered remains central to the field. The knockout mouse, in particular, continues to serve as an indispensable model system for understanding the genetic basis of health and disease, ensuring that Evans's contributions will remain relevant to biomedical research for the foreseeable future.