Study helps newborns to breathe
Professor Cake, who has been Programme Chair for Biological Sciences since 1995, was one of the main people spearheading the development of the new Molecular Biology and Conservation Biology degrees, due to begin in 1999.
But despite the administrative challenges of his programme chair position, Professor Cake has still found time to pursue his research.
One area of research Professor Cake is currently involved in is the role of lung peptides in stimulating the secretion of surfactant lipids needed for breathing.
Surfactant lipids help reduce surface tension and therefore bring the contraction of the lungs to a halt before they completely collapse and empty of air. Surfactant is thus is of critical importance in the continuous inflation and deflation of a lung.
Unfortunately, surfactant is not produced in the lungs until very late in gestation and hence many premature babies die because their lungs have not yet developed the ability to produce this life-saving lipid material.
Professor Cake and his team are researching the effect of a number of peptides on the rate of the secretion of surfactant.
The hope is that the survival of premature babies will be boosted if, along with synthetic surfactant, they are given one of these peptides which will facilitate the development of their lungs.
Another area of research Professor Cake is involved in is a study of fat metabolism within lampreys -- a primitive jawless fish.
His research has shown that there is a distinct partitioning of fatty acids -- either into energy generating pathways or into biosynthetic processes that lead to the maturation of the sexual organs.
Professor Cake is trying to ascertain the factors determining which fatty acids are used by each of these pathways.
The study, which is a collaborative venture with Professor Ian Potter, is being funded by Australian Research Council.
Professor Cake is glowing in his praise for the research environment at Murdoch University, particularly the multidisciplinary approach within the School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology.
"It's such a stimulating environment here because you are rubbing shoulders with people from different backgrounds," he said.
In fact, Professor Cake has enjoyed the environment so much that he has stayed at Murdoch for the past 20 years, something he would not have envisaged doing at the start of his career at the University.
It looks like he is settled to stay at Murdoch University for a while.
"It's a great environment and I really enjoy it," he said.Further information
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Associate Professor Max Cake School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Telephone (08) 9360 2368 email maxcake@possum.murdoch.edu.au |
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