Peter Medawar, a zoologist at Oxford, came to work with Gibson, a collaboration which resulted in a classic paper published in 1943, Gibson and Medawar, "The fate of skin, homografts in man". The paper set research on tissue transplantation onto a scientific basis and formed the basis of present day understanding of transplantation.

Peter Medwar in letter to Gibson

"I do want you to know how clearly I understand my deep obligation to you for giving me my first insight into the real problem we were facing and my first understanding of the nature of clinical research"

Medawar continued research on skin grafts rejection and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1960, acknowledging the insights which Gibson had contributed. Gibson remained in Glasgow and formed a strong link with the University of Strathclyde’s Bioengineering Unit where he was awarded an honorary chair.

His ‘Renaissance mind’ quickly saw the benefits of collaboration between science and medicine, and the Unit, with considerable input by Gibson, became a leader in the field.