John D. Pollard
Encyclopedia
John David Pollard, FRACP, FRCP (Lond), AO, born 6 January 1941, is Professor of Neurology
at the University of Sydney
. After graduating with Honours in a Bachelor of Science (Medical) from the University of Sydney
in 1964, he went on to study Medicine at the same institution, graduating with Honours in 1966 and completing a PhD studying nerve
transplantation in 1973. He trained in Neurology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
, Sydney and subsequently as Research Fellow and Registrar at the Royal Free Hospital
and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
, Queen Square
, London.
Dr Pollard is formerly the Chair of Executive and Head, Department of Medicine, University of Sydney
; the Professor of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Sydney
; and, from 1997, the Bushell Professor of Neurology at University of Sydney
, a role from which he retired in 2008. He has been a Director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute http://www.bmri.org.au/, The University of Sydney, since 2004.
Pollard's research has focussed on, but not confined to, the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammatory neuropathies. He described the immunopathology of idiopathic demyelinating neuropathy showing T cell
subsets, mononuclear cells and Human Leukocyte Antigen
class I and II expression within nerve, demonstrating the possibility of an immunological role for Schwann cell
s, and challenging the dogma that nerve was an immunologically privileged site. His group subsequently described antimyelin antibodies in animal models of the disease, and demonstrated the efficacy of plasma exchange, a therapy that he subsequently pioneered in Australia for the human conditions Guillain-Barré syndrome
and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
(CIDP). He has authored over 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 25 book Chapters.
Pollard received the award of Officer of the Order of Australia
, General Division(AO) for service to medicine in 2005 http://www.medfac.usyd.edu.au/news/features/2005/050127.php.
Neurology
Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue,...
at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
. After graduating with Honours in a Bachelor of Science (Medical) from the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
in 1964, he went on to study Medicine at the same institution, graduating with Honours in 1966 and completing a PhD studying nerve
Nerve
A peripheral nerve, or simply nerve, is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of peripheral axons . A nerve provides a common pathway for the electrochemical nerve impulses that are transmitted along each of the axons. Nerves are found only in the peripheral nervous system...
transplantation in 1973. He trained in Neurology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is a major public teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia, located on Missenden Road in Camperdown...
, Sydney and subsequently as Research Fellow and Registrar at the Royal Free Hospital
Royal Free Hospital
The Royal Free Hospital is a major teaching hospital in Hampstead, London, England and part of the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust....
and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery is a neurological hospital in London, United Kingdom and part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust...
, Queen Square
Queen Square
Queen Square is a square in the Bloomsbury district of the London Borough of Camden, England. Queen Square was originally constructed between 1716 and 1725.- Name :...
, London.
Dr Pollard is formerly the Chair of Executive and Head, Department of Medicine, University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
; the Professor of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
; and, from 1997, the Bushell Professor of Neurology at University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, a role from which he retired in 2008. He has been a Director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute http://www.bmri.org.au/, The University of Sydney, since 2004.
Pollard's research has focussed on, but not confined to, the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammatory neuropathies. He described the immunopathology of idiopathic demyelinating neuropathy showing T cell
T cell
T cells or T lymphocytes belong to a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, and play a central role in cell-mediated immunity. They can be distinguished from other lymphocytes, such as B cells and natural killer cells , by the presence of a T cell receptor on the cell surface. They are...
subsets, mononuclear cells and Human Leukocyte Antigen
Human leukocyte antigen
The human leukocyte antigen system is the name of the major histocompatibility complex in humans. The super locus contains a large number of genes related to immune system function in humans. This group of genes resides on chromosome 6, and encodes cell-surface antigen-presenting proteins and...
class I and II expression within nerve, demonstrating the possibility of an immunological role for Schwann cell
Schwann cell
Schwann cells or neurolemmocytes are the principal glia of the peripheral nervous system . Glial cells function to support neurons and in the PNS, also include satellite cells, olfactory ensheathing cells, enteric glia and glia that reside at sensory nerve endings, such as the Pacinian corpuscle...
s, and challenging the dogma that nerve was an immunologically privileged site. His group subsequently described antimyelin antibodies in animal models of the disease, and demonstrated the efficacy of plasma exchange, a therapy that he subsequently pioneered in Australia for the human conditions Guillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain–Barré syndrome , sometimes called Landry's paralysis, is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy , a disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system. Ascending paralysis, weakness beginning in the feet and hands and migrating towards the trunk, is the most typical symptom...
and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is an acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system. The disorder is sometimes called chronic relapsing polyneuropathy. CIDP is closely related to Guillain-Barré syndrome and it is considered the chronic...
(CIDP). He has authored over 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 25 book Chapters.
Pollard received the award of Officer of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, General Division(AO) for service to medicine in 2005 http://www.medfac.usyd.edu.au/news/features/2005/050127.php.