Biomedical scientist Alan Mackay-Sim has been named the 2017 Australian of the Year for his pioneering stem cell research.
Professor Mackay-Sim’s work was central to the 2014 surgery that allowed Darek Fidyka, a Polish firefighter, to walk again and even ride a custom-built bicycle. Fidyka was the first paraplegic in the world to regain mobility after the complete severing of the spinal nerves. The success was hailed by fellow researcher Geoff Raisman as more impressive than the moon landing.
Watch videos here:
(Video 1 – Scientist Alan Mackay-Sim talking at the awards ceremony about the incredible progress being made in the field of stem cell therapy)
(The video link below the main video shows Darek Fidyka’s incredible mobility after stem cells from his nose were transplanted into his spinal cord)
http://abc7chicago.com/health/paralyzed-man-walks-again-after-pioneering-treatment/359949/
