Prof Reid is distinguished for his outstanding work on the protein chemistry and molecular biology of the complement system — an important part of our innate immune system, which provides immediate protection against infections. He was the first to characterise the C1q complex, and went on to identify its three chains and subunit structure.   Prof Reid subsequently cloned the genes for all three chains. He is an author on approximately 300 scientific papers based on his research.  I’m also looking forward in the next few days to engage with other scientists, students, entrepreneurs, and business leaders here in the UK.