Andrew Wyllie was a pathologist best known for discovering the significance of natural cell death, a process he termed apoptosis. Apoptosis is now known to play a leading role in a wide range of cellular events, including the development of embryos, adult tissue maintenance and cell turnover, immunological and toxicological reactions, and the growth and regression of tumours.

He continued to work on apoptosis throughout his career, leading studies that have focused on the regulation of apoptosis and the function of genes involved in the development of tumours. His work significantly advanced our understanding of apoptosis, with considerable implications for human health and disease.

Andrew served the editorial boards of a number of scientific journals and presented his work in lectures at prestigious international symposia. He received a number of awards, including the Canada Gairdner International Award in 1999 and the Scheele Award of the Swedish Pharmaceutical Society in 2001. He was a founding member of the British Academy in 1998.

Professor Andrew Wyllie FMedSci FRS died on 26 May 2022.