“Spare Parts on Demand! The Future of Transplantation from Sci-Fi to Scalpel”

"Spare Parts on Demand! The Future of Transplantation from Sci-Fi to Scalpel”
With Pankaj Chandak

Summary

Most of us take organ transplantation for granted. A donor is found, a surgeon operates, a life is saved. The reality is far more extraordinary than that — and the future is more extraordinary still.

Pankaj is a transplant surgeon and research fellow at Great Ormond Street Hospital, UCL and King's College London, working at the frontier of what medicine can do with the human body. His work spans machine perfusion — keeping organs alive outside the body for regeneration and repair — to using 3D printing to plan some of the most complex paediatric transplants ever attempted.

In this talk he'll take us from today's operating theatres to the laboratories building the organs of tomorrow, asking how close we really are to printing a functional human organ on demand.

Bio

Pankaj is a transplant surgeon and post-doctoral research fellow at The Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital, UCL, and King’s College London. Hisresearch focuses on machine perfusion of human organs for therapeutic manipulation, regeneration, and bioengineering, as well as complex paediatric transplantation. Notable achievements include the use of 3D printing to plan intricatepaediatric transplants (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-35407477) and developing human kidney models of transplant rejection for potential drug testing using machine perfusion (pump) technology. Passionate about public engagement and science education, Pankaj actively supports under-represented groups and young people to engage with science and healthcare innovations. He has produced multiple short films and collaborates closely with The Science Museum and The Hunterian Museum where his research in now on permanent display. He was a Discourse speaker at The Royal Institution and regularly presents at schools/STEM events, including The Royal Society and British Science Festivals.

He has made appearances for film and television including BBC, The BBC World Service Radio, and served as medical director and advisor to the Netflix series “The Crown”, acting in several episodes! He founded the UK’s first Children’s Transplant Choir in partnership with BBC Children in Need. Among his accolades, he has been the British Science Association’s Charles Darwin Award Lecturer and has received. The Royal College of Surgeons of England Lister Medal and Prize, as well as The Royal Society of Medicine Norman Tanner Medal. He was awarded the prestigious Hunterian Professorship by The Royal College of Surgeons of England and the King’s Health Partners Bulkley Barry Cooper Professorship Lecture. He is a Fellow of The Linnean Society and The Royal Photographic Society, having received their Combined Royal Colleges Medal for advancing 3D printing sciences which is on permanent display at London’s Science Museum.

Venue:
Old Queen's Head
44 Essex Road
Islington
N1 8LN

Event Running Time:
(We recommend arriving early if you're eating!)
Doors from 7pm
Introduction: 7:25pm
Lecture: 7:30pm
Q&A: 8:10pm
Finish: 8:30pm

FAQs:

What is Pints of Knowledge?

Pints of Knowledge is a series of public talks where experts, researchers, and big thinkers share fascinating ideas all in the relaxed setting of a pub. We bring brilliant minds and curious audiences together over a pint, covering topics from science and politics to history, art, and beyond.

What happens at Pints of Knowledge?

At each Pints of Knowledge event, you’ll hear engaging talks (approx. 40 minutes) from expert speakers on fascinating topics — followed by an audience Q&A (approx. 20 minutes). The vibe is informal and social, set in a pub where you can grab a drink, meet interesting people, and enjoy big ideas in a relaxed setting.

What if I don't drink alcohol?

No problem at all! Pints of Knowledge is all about the ideas and the community, not the drinks. You’re welcome to enjoy a soft drink, coffee, or whatever you prefer. The focus is on creating a relaxed, social atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable.

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Tickets must be purchased online prior to the event. With our limited capacity at each venue we can't let people in without a ticket. There is occasionally the option to purchase a ticket on the door for our sold-out events, but we cannot guarantee this.

Is there food available?

Yes, there is usually the option to purchase food at our events - please see each venue's menu on their website. If you plan on eating at the venue, we recommend arriving as early as possible so the kitchen can get your order out before the talk starts. In the unlikely event the kitchen isn't open, there will typically be an option to order in food from elsewhere or bring your own food.

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Is the venue accessible?

All of our venues are accessible, besides the following: The Old Queen's Head, The Landor, The Alma, and The Morpeth Arms.