Professor Anthony Hollander, Head of the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Bristol, was interviewed on this week’s [5 October] BBC One Show as part of a feature focusing on the work of the UK’s leading scientists.

Professor Hollander came to national prominence as part of the academic team that saved the life of Claudia Castillio, after developing the first tissue-engineered trachea (windpipe) using the patient’s own stem cells. This fully functioning airway was transplanted into the patient and saved her life.

Parallels can be drawn between Professor Hollander’s breakthrough and another leading British scientist, Dr Edward Jenner, who discovered the smallpox vaccination — the greatest ever coup in the history of preventative medicine. 

The interview is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer (22 minutes into the programme) website.