Mark Pepys facts for kids

Sir Mark Brian Pepys, born on September 18, 1944, is a well-known British medical scientist. He was born in South Africa. Until 2011, he was a Professor of Medicine at University College London. He also led the Medicine department at the Hampstead Campus and the Royal Free Hospital.

Becoming a Doctor and Scientist

Mark Pepys was born in Cape Town, South Africa. His father, Jack Pepys, was also a doctor. Mark moved to the UK in 1948.

Early Studies

He first studied at the University of Cambridge. After that, he became a medical doctor at University College London Medical School.

Advanced Research

He then went back to Cambridge. There, he earned his PhD in Immunology in 1973. Immunology is the study of the body's immune system.

Awards and Special Recognition

Sir Mark Pepys is famous for his important work on certain diseases. He has received many awards for his discoveries.

GlaxoSmithKline Prize

In 2007, he won the GlaxoSmithKline Prize. This award recognized his excellent work as a clinical scientist. He found special proteins that could be targets for new medicines. These medicines might help with diseases like amyloidosis and Alzheimer's disease.

Fellow of the Royal Society

In 1998, Mark Pepys became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. He was chosen because of his major contributions in three areas:

• How the immune system works.
• His research on special proteins called pentraxin proteins.
• His work on amyloidosis.

He is a top expert in these fields around the world. He discovered how a part of the immune system helps make antibodies. He also led research on proteins like C-reactive protein (CRP). This protein helps doctors manage patients.

Amyloidosis Research

He found that a protein called serum amyloid P component (SAP) collects in amyloid deposits. Amyloidosis is a group of diseases where abnormal proteins build up in organs. He developed a special scan using SAP. This scan helps doctors see where amyloid is in the body. It has greatly improved how we understand and treat amyloidosis.

Leadership Role

In 1999, he became the director of the Centre for Amyloidosis and Acute Phase Proteins. This center is part of University College London.

Ernst Chain Prize

In 2008, Mark Pepys won the Ernst Chain Prize. This award from Imperial College London recognized his work on amyloid diseases.

Knighthood

In 2012, he was made a knight. This honor was given for his important services to biomedicine.

See also

• SAP scan