Paul Terasaki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul I. Terasaki
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| Born | September 10, 1929 |
| Died | January 25, 2016 (aged 86) |
| Alma mater | UCLA |
| Known for | organ transplant medicine; tissue typing |
| Awards | UCLA Terasaki Life Sciences Building |
Paul Ichiro Terasaki (September 10, 1929 – January 25, 2016) was an American scientist. He made huge contributions to the field of organ transplant surgery. He was also a professor at the UCLA School of Medicine.
Contents
A Life of Science
Paul Terasaki was born in Los Angeles, California. When he was in high school during World War II, Paul and his family, like many other Japanese Americans, had to live in a special camp. This camp was called the Gila River War Relocation Center.
After this difficult time, Paul went to the UCLA. He earned several degrees in zoology, which is the study of animals. Later, he became a professor at UCLA's medical school.
A Big Discovery
In 1964, Paul Terasaki made a very important discovery. He created a test called the microcytotoxicity test. This test helps doctors match organ donors with people who need an organ. It checks for special markers called human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) in a person's tissues.
This test was very helpful because it only needed a tiny amount of blood. It quickly became the standard test used all over the world for tissue typing. Tissue typing is like finding the right "match" between a donor and a patient. This makes sure the patient's body accepts the new organ.
Understanding Organ Rejection
Paul Terasaki also spent a lot of time studying why the body sometimes rejects a new organ. He focused on something called the humoral theory. This idea suggests that special proteins in the blood, called antibodies, can cause the body to reject a transplanted organ.
He and his company, One Lambda, played a big part in making tissue typing better. Their work helped many people get successful organ transplants.
Helping Others Through Research
Paul Terasaki started UCLA's HLA laboratory. He also created the UCLA Kidney Transplant Registry. This was the biggest collection of kidney transplant information in the world. It helped doctors learn more about transplants.
In 1999, he retired from UCLA. But he didn't stop working! A year later, he started the Terasaki Foundation. This research center focuses on finding new ways to fight cancer. It also studies how the body's immune system works with organ transplants.
Honoring His Contributions
Paul Terasaki was a very generous person. In 2010, UCLA announced that a new science building would be named after him. This was because he gave $50 million to the university. It was the largest gift ever given to the UCLA College. The building is now known as the Terasaki Life Sciences Building.
He also received several awards for his amazing work. These included the UCLA Edward A. Dickson Alumnus of the Year award and the UCLA medal.
Paul Terasaki was married to an artist named Hisako Terasaki. They had four children. He passed away on January 25, 2016, after a long illness. His work continues to help save lives around the world.
