史密斯是一位著名的分子生物学家，于20世纪50年代发明凝胶电泳，于80年代又发明基因打靶，从而为DNA、蛋白质体外分离和体内功能研究提供了重要的研究手段，极大地推动了生命科学的快速发展。史密斯还由于基因打靶的重要贡献而分享2007年诺贝尔生理学或医学奖。

Oliver Smithies is a famous molecular biologist, who invented gel electrophoresis in 1950s and gene targeting in 1980s. These methods provided important tools for the study of DNA and protein in vitro and in vivo, and greatly promoted the rapid development of life science. Oliver Smithies won the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking contribution in invention of gene targeting technology. In the article, Oliver Smithies’ life, researches and achievements are introduced.