Wayne Hawthorne

Professor Wayne Hawthorne is a leading academic in transplantation and surgery at the University of Sydney, affiliated with the Westmead Clinical School and The Westmead Institute for Medical Research. His work focuses on xenotransplantation, diabetes, and organ transplantation, with a particular emphasis on overcoming immunological barriers and improving clinical outcomes.

His research interests span xenotransplantation (especially kidney and cardiac applications), islet transplantation for diabetes, and surgical innovations in transplantation. He collaborates internationally, including with institutions in China, and contributes to global regulatory frameworks through organizations like the International Xenotransplantation Association.

Professor Hawthorne’s publications emphasize ethical and legislative advancements, preclinical models, and translational research. His work bridges basic science and clinical practice, addressing challenges like immune tolerance and organ preservation. He has contributed to landmark studies, including the first pig-to-human cardiac xenotransplantation and the use of genetically modified pigs in islet transplantation.

Key areas of focus include:

• Normothermic machine perfusion for organ preservation
• Immunosuppressive strategies to combat rejection
• Biodegradable matrices for islet delivery
• Global policy development for xenotransplantation

His laboratory and team are at the forefront of xenotransplantation research, with international collaborations and contributions to preclinical-to-clinical translation.