Paul Terasaki

Paul Ichiro Terasaki

Paul Ichiro Terasaki (September 10, 1929 – January 25, 2016) was an American immunologist and pioneer in the field of organ transplantation. He is best known for developing the microcytotoxicity test, which became the international standard for tissue typing. This test is crucial for matching organ donors with recipients to prevent organ rejection.

Early Life and Education

Paul Terasaki was born in Los Angeles, California, to Japanese immigrant parents. During World War II, his family was interned at the Gila River War Relocation Center in Arizona. After the war, Terasaki attended UCLA, where he earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in zoology.

Career

Terasaki joined the faculty at UCLA in 1960, where he conducted groundbreaking research in immunology and transplantation. In 1964, he developed the microcytotoxicity test, which uses antibodies to detect human leukocyte antigens (HLA) on the surface of white blood cells. This test became the standard method for tissue typing and is still used today in organ transplantation.

In 1984, Terasaki founded the UCLA Immunogenetics Center, which became a leading institution for transplantation research. He also established the Terasaki Foundation Laboratory, a research institute dedicated to immunology and transplantation.

Contributions to Transplantation

Terasaki's work significantly improved the success rates of organ transplants by ensuring better matches between donors and recipients. His research also contributed to the understanding of HLA and its role in immune response. Terasaki authored over 900 scientific papers and received numerous awards for his contributions to medicine and science.

Personal Life

Paul Terasaki was married to Hisako Terasaki, and they had four children. He was a philanthropist and supported various educational and cultural initiatives, particularly those related to the Japanese American community.

Legacy

Paul Terasaki's contributions to the field of transplantation have had a lasting impact on medicine. His innovations in tissue typing and immunology have saved countless lives and continue to influence transplantation medicine today.

See Also

• Organ transplantation
• Human leukocyte antigen
• Immunology
• Tissue typing
• University of California, Los Angeles