UOW academics to feature on ABC's Catalyst

Nov 08, 2004

The last 20 years of the lives of Professor Tony Hulbert and Associate Professor Paul Else from the University of Wollongong's Metabolic Research Centre, have been spent researching what determines the metabolic rate of animals.

Their findings have been described in a new theory called the 'membrane pacemaker theory of metabolism' and the ABC-TV's Catalyst program recently visited UOW to delve more deeply into this complex research.

The metabolic rate of animals varies dramatically between species and Professor Hulburt and Professor Else found that the type of fats in the membranes of animal cells determined the species' metabolic rate, specifically the amount of omega-3 fats which animals and humans cannot produce, and therefore must obtain through diet.

Professor Hulbert said that the 'membrane pacemaker theory of metabolism' theory has very important implications for human health and the role of different fats in our diet.

“Following an article in New Scientist titled “The Speed of Life” in November 2003, Catalyst became interested in doing a story on biochemistry and our research into metabolic rates,” he said.

“The team spent two days filming here, very impressed with UOW's campus, and one day at Taronga Zoo.”

The program will air at 8pm this Thursday (November 11).

-RP