Person Coombs; Robert Royston Amos (1921 - 2006) Coombs Robert Royston Amos 1921 - 2006 Male 09/01/1921 19210109 25/01/2006 20060125

6, Selwyn Gardens, Cambridge, CB3 9AX

Immunologist Education: Born in London but received his early education in South Africa; studied veterinary medicine at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying in 1943; worked at the Veterinary Research Centre, Weybridge (worked on on the serodiagnosis of glanders, a horse disease caused by Burkholderia mallei); Pathology PhD, Cambridge University (completed in 1947) Career: Stringer Fellow, King's College, Cambridge 1947-56; Assistant Director of Research, Pathology Department, Cambridge University; Reader in Immunology, Cambridge University (1963-1966); Quick Professor of Biology, University of Cambridge (1966-1986); Instrumental in setting up the British Society for Immunology (Coombs was first general secretary, a post he held for over ten years). Created 'Coombs Test' to detect anti-rhesus antibodies ("It identifies certain types of anaemia caused by antibodies produced against a patient's own red cells (called autoimmune haemolytic anaemia) and is used in cross-matching to prevent transfusion reactions due to incompatible blood. It is also crucial in diagnosing haemolytic disease of the newborn where the mother, who is blood group rhesus negative, carries a rhesus positive baby, and makes anti-rhesus antibodies which then cause destruction of her child's red blood cells". Obituary in 'The Guardian', 8th March 2006); research into the properties of antibodies; the study of allergy (and the use of that term); research into cot death ("Coombs believed that many cases of sudden infant death syndrome were due to allergy to cow's milk which babies had aspirated into their lungs when sleeping. The theory was difficult to prove and not widely accepted". Obituary in 'The Guardian', 8th March 2006) Publications: 'Clinical Aspects of Immunology' (ed. with Philip Gell, 1963) Fellow 18/03/1965 44 Obituaries: The Times (6th February 2006); The Independent (6th February 2006); The Guardian (8th March 2006); Daily Telegraph (30 March 2006) ©Godfrey Argent Studio International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 9 Jan 1921 - 25 Jan 2006 NA4027 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 28/03/2023 RS_NET\JonathanB Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/30417618 efe18e25-6c9e-4536-a147-0b05cfe0e31d