Martin Bobrow is a geneticist who has exerted a major influence on clinical genetics, a field concerned with how genetic mechanisms can cause congenital disorders, also known as birth defects. Martin’s work has particularly shaped ethical and safety considerations in the field, including issues surrounding genetic testing.

He made crucial contributions towards the technique of chromosome banding — where DNA is stained in order to identify specific parts of chromosomes. He also contributed to the identification of the dystrophin gene, DMD, the largest gene in the human genome. If mutated, DMD may lead to Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Martin is a founding Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, a UK body that champions excellent research and provides expert information in many fields of science. Martin was Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of Cambridge from 1995–2005, where he is now an Emeritus Fellow. He received a CBE in 1995 for his services to science.