The successful manipulation of embryonic mice cells by a research team formed by Sir Martin Evans, Oliver Smithies and Mario Capecchi won the Nobel 2007 Prize in medicine. Through genetic techniques the awarded scientists developed a way to insert and create serious human medical diseases in mice.

Human diseases as cancer, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure were induced in the embryonic mice cells.

This way the scientists were able to alter and disable individual mice genes in order for them to carry such human specific diseases. This discovery led to a technology called gene targeting.

"They created a true revolution for medical research," Professor Erna Moller, head of the 50-member Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute that selects the medicine laureates, told reporters.

The gene targeting has led to "more than 500 different mouse models of human disorders including cardiovascular and neuro- degenerative diseases, diabetes and cancer," the Karolinska Institute said, noting the series of discoveries since the first reports of gene targeting were published 1989.

Prof Evans, studied at Cambridge and he is now the director of Cardiff's school of biosciences. Dr Smithies, born in Britain, studied at Oxford University before leaving for the US where he works now at the University of North Carolina.

Prof Capecchi, born in Italy, works now at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

All the same, this successful genetic breakthrough allows the study of the influence of a gene and its progress from embryonic stage, through adult physiology and aging.

The three shared the 10 million kronor (1.53 million dollar) prize.

"We've recognized for a long time that the work we have done helps the general community of science," Smithies said. "It's marvellous to have it recognized."

The medicine prize is the first of the Nobel prizes to be announced this week. Nobel prizes are also awarded for physics (Tuesday), chemistry (Wednesday), literature (Thursday) and peace (Friday).