Respiratory Morbidities Associated With Preterm Birth
The MacFarlane Lab aims to develop a unique multidisciplinary approach to understand disease pathophysiology and the neurobiology of breathing and pulmonary/airway physiology in apnea of prematurity, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, and other pediatric pulmonary conditions.
About Peter M. MacFarlane, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Division of Neonatology
UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Director, Neonatology Basic Research
William and Lois Briggs Research Chair in Neonatology
Impact of Our Research
Peter M. MacFarlane received his PhD in Zoology in Melbourne, Australia. He specializes in researching the development of the respiratory system particularly in the context of the various respiratory morbidities affecting preterm infants. With a specific interest in the neurobiology of breathing and pulmonary/airway physiology he has developed a unique multidisciplinary approach to research aimed at understanding “disease” pathophysiology associated apnea of prematurity (AOP), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), inflammation (amnionitis, neonatal sepsis), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
A major mechanistic focus of his research centers around microglia (immune cells of the central nervous system) and components of the extracellular matrix (the structural network of soft tissue) and how they contribute to respiratory system development – a particular conceptual focus of his research involves understanding the vulnerability of the respiratory system to exogenous stressors such as hypoxia and inflammation, particularly during critical windows of development. The overall guiding hypothesis driving his research relates to understanding how the interaction between the respiratory system and early life experiences contribute to short- and long-term disease pathophysiology of newborns. Overall, Dr. MacFarlane hopes that by developing a mechanistic understanding of the pathophysiology of these conditions, we can make major advancements toward optimizing the clinical care of (particularly preterm) neonates and improving the longer-term outcomes of the most vulnerable infants.
In the News
Researchers awarded $2.8M federal grant to study potential treatment of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
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