Kary Banks Mullis was an American biochemist. In recognition of his role in the invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, he shared the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Michael Smith and was awarded the Japan Prize in the same year. PCR became a central technique in biochemistry and molecular biology, described by The New York Times as "highly original and significant, virtually dividing biology into the two epochs of before PCR and after PCR." The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1993, announced October 13, 1993. Kary B. Mullis (1/2), “for his invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method”. Michael Smith (1/2), “for his fundamental contributions to the establishment of oligonucleotide-based, site-directed mutagenesis and its development for protein studies”. Kary B. Mullis: born 1944, Lenoir, NC, USA. Michael Smith: born 1932, Blackpool, United Kingdom. Wiki link Wiki link Data: the Nobel Foundation (CC0).