Science | Nobel laureate Mario Capecchi to give talk at UM

Mario Capecchi

The University of Macau (UM) on 23 May will confer the Doctor of Science honoris causa degree on Prof Mario Capecchi, a co-
recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
According to a statement issued by UM, the accolade will be granted in recognition of Capecchi’s contributions to the field of genetic research. Following the honorary degree conferment ceremony, Prof Capecchi will present lecture, titled “Gene Targeting Into the 21st Century: Mouse Models of Human Diseases from Cancer to Neuropsychiatric Disorders.” During the scholar is expected discuss the development of gene targeting and how the technique can be used to prevent and treat cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Capecchi received his PhD
degree in biophysics from Harvard University in 1967. He has won numerous awards, including the Pezcoller Foundation- AACR International Award for Cancer Research.
Capecchi is best known for his pioneering work on the development of gene targeting in mouse embryo-derived stem (ES) cells. This technique allows scientists to evaluate in detail the function of any gene during the developmental or post-
developmental phase of a mouse.