Modeling Human Disease in the Mouse: From Cancer to Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Mario R. Capecchi, Ph.D.
University of Utah
Dr. Mario Capecchi is best known for pioneering the technology of gene targeting in mouse embryo-derived stem cells that allows scientists to create mice with mutations in any desired gene by choosing which gene to mutate and how to mutate it. This technology gives the investigator virtually complete freedom in manipulating the DNA sequences in the genome of living mice and allows detailed evaluation of any gene’s function during its development or post-developmental phase so as to better understand human genetic diseases. Dr. Capecchi, who received his Ph.D. in biophysics from Harvard University and formerly served on the faculty there, is currently at the University of Utah, where he is distinguished professor of human genetics and biology, co-chair of the Department of Human Genetics, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. Dr. Capecchi is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the European Academy of Sciences. His other honors include the Albert Lasker Award, National Medal of Science, Bristol-Myers Squibb Award, Gairdner Foundation International Award, General Motors Corporation’s Alfred P. Sloan Jr. Prize, Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences, Baxter Award for Distinguished Research in the Biomedical Sciences, and the Wolf Prize in Medicine.
Dr. Capecchi's lecture will take place in Auditorium 7 at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 12.