Anthony Segal facts for kids

Anthony Segal is a well-known British doctor and scientist. He was born on February 24, 1944. He is recognized for his important work in medicine and is a member of the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Education

He studied at the University of Cape Town and the University of London. He earned several degrees, including in medicine and science. He is also a fellow of UCL, the Royal College of Physicians, and The College of Medicine of South Africa.

Career and Research

Tony Segal grew up in Bulawayo, which is now in Zimbabwe. He studied medicine at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital. After working as a doctor in South Africa, he moved to London.

In London, he continued his medical training. He worked in different hospital departments. He became interested in how the body fights off sickness, which is called immunity.

He later joined University College London (UCL). In 1986, he became a professor there. He led the Centre for Molecular Medicine until 2020. In May 2020, he helped start a company called Imhotex. This company aims to develop medicines for Crohn's disease.

Even though he started as a doctor for stomach and gut problems, his interest in immunity grew. He even started a special clinic for people with immunodeficiency, which means their immune system isn't working well. He has been part of many important scientific groups. In 1998, he became a founding member of the Academy of Medical Sciences. He was also chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. He has won awards for his work in science. His recent research focuses on Crohn's disease and how special cells called neutrophils kill bacteria and fungi.

Major Discoveries

Segal has made many important discoveries. Here are some of his main findings:

NADPH Oxidase and CGD

He identified something called the NADPH oxidase. This is a special enzyme that helps certain immune cells, called myeloid cells, create a substance called superoxide. Superoxide is important for fighting germs.

He also found that if there are problems or changes (mutations) in the genes that make this enzyme, it can cause a serious immune disease. This disease is called Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD). People with CGD have trouble fighting off infections.

How Cells Kill Germs

He discovered how certain immune cells, called neutrophils, kill microbes inside them. Neutrophils are like tiny soldiers that swallow germs. He showed that it's not just about toxic chemicals.

Instead, the NADPH oxidase changes the environment inside the cell's "germ-eating" compartment. It makes the area more alkaline (higher pH). This change helps other special proteins, called proteases, become active. These active proteases then kill and break down the microbes.

Causes of Crohn's Disease

He also studied Crohn's disease. This is a long-lasting condition that causes inflammation, mostly in the small and large intestines. He found that a common problem in Crohn's disease is that the body's usual quick way of fighting inflammation doesn't work well.

Because of this, tiny bits of waste material that get into the bowel lining are not cleared away properly. They stay there and cause ongoing inflammation. This leads to the typical symptoms of Crohn's disease.