Roy Calne

Sir Roy Caine bronze bust by Laurence Broderick

Roy Yorke Calne (born 30 December 1930) is a British surgeon and pioneer in organ transplantation. He is renowned for his groundbreaking work in the field of liver transplantation and immunosuppressive drugs.

Early Life and Education

Roy Calne was born in London, England. He attended Highgate School and later studied medicine at University College London and King's College Hospital.

Career

Calne's career in surgery began at King's College Hospital, where he developed an interest in transplant surgery. He later moved to the University of Cambridge, where he became a professor of surgery. His work at Cambridge led to significant advancements in the field of organ transplantation.

Liver Transplantation

Calne is best known for his pioneering work in liver transplantation. In 1968, he performed the first successful liver transplant in the United Kingdom. His work in this area has saved countless lives and has established liver transplantation as a viable treatment for end-stage liver disease.

Immunosuppressive Drugs

Calne also made significant contributions to the development of immunosuppressive drugs, which are crucial for preventing the rejection of transplanted organs. He was instrumental in the development and clinical use of cyclosporine, a drug that revolutionized the field of organ transplantation.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Roy Calne has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to medicine. These include:

• The Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award
• The Royal Medal from the Royal Society
• Knighthood in 1986 for his services to medicine

Personal Life

Roy Calne is also an accomplished artist and has exhibited his paintings in various galleries. He continues to be active in the field of transplantation research and education.

See Also

• Liver transplantation
• Organ transplantation
• Immunosuppressive drugs
• Cyclosporine