Alan Mackay-Sim | |
|---|---|
 Mackay-Sim in 2017 | |
| Born | 16 May 1951 Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 4 January 2023 (aged 71) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | Macquarie University |
| Awards | Australian of the Year (2017) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biomedical science |
| Institutions | Griffith University |
| Thesis | Odorous communication by stressed rats (1978) |
Alan Mackay-Sim AM (16 May 1951 – 4 January 2023) was an Australian biomedical scientist specialising in adult stem cell research, and winner of the 2017 Australian of the Year. Some of his research focused on olfactory ensheathing cells,[1] which are cells in the human nose that interact with the nervous system to cause a sense of smell.
His research into stem cells contributed to the treatment of spinal cord injuries. The restoration of mobility to Darek Fidyka, a Polish paraplegic man, used research by Mackay-Sim.[2][3][4]
- ^ Chehrehasa, Fatemeh; Ekberg, Jenny A. K.; Lineburg, Katie; Amaya, Daniel; Mackay-Sim, Alan; St. John, James A. (November 2011). "Two phases of replacement replenish the olfactory ensheathing cell population after injury in postnatal mice". Glia. 60 (2): 322–32. doi:10.1002/glia.22267. hdl:10072/45582. PMID 22065423. S2CID 7490951.
- ^ "Champion for stem cell use named Australian of the Year". ABC News. 25 January 2017.
- ^ Knott, Matthew (25 January 2017). "Scientist whose miracle made a paraplegic walk again named Australian of the Year". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "Australian of the Year is injury research pioneer Alan Mackay-Sim". BBC. 25 January 2017.