Research Updates

CF Research Revitalizing a Traditional Therapy
Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide health crisis and is estimated to cost the Canadian healthcare system as much as $200 million per year. Once considered the solution to treat infections, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, combined with bacteria’s ability to resist treatment, means that antibiotics are no longer as effective. More ...

Findings at SickKids indicate new options for treating cystic fibrosis.
In a study led by Dr. Daniela Rotin, Senior Scientist at SickKids and Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto, mice were specially bred to lack the protein Nedd4L in the lungs. These mice developed lung disease similar to cystic fibrosis, including inflammation and obstructed airways. More ...

Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD) 
Researchers at the University of Montreal are finding answers for cystic fibrosis –related diabetes (CFRD), an increasingly common complication affecting nearly 40% of adults with cystic fibrosis.  More ...

Modifier Genes
The discovery of modifying genes by Canadian Consortium for Cystic Fibrosis Genetic Studies could tailor treatment for cystic fibrosis patients and improve health outcomes. More…

Cystic Fibrosis Therapy Development
Cystic Fibrosis Canada congratulates 16-year-old, Marshall Zhang on his discovery of a new strategy for cystic fibrosis therapy development. More …

Treating Antibiotic-resistant Bacterial Infections
Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s investment in research at McMaster University has resulted in a profound discovery in treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. More …

Phage Therapy
Burkholderia cepacia complex has become highly resistant to antibiotic treatment, leaving researchers searching for alternative therapies. More...

Stem Cell Therapy
Dr. Thomas Waddell at Toronto General Hospital is investigating whether adult stem cells obtained from bone marrow can replace cystic fibrosis (CF) airway cells. More ...

Personalized Therapy
Some people with cystic fibrosis have a very severe form of the disease, while others have ‘milder’ symptoms. Such variations are a result of over 1,700 mutations in the gene responsible for CF and environmental factors, as well as modifier genes – genes that do not cause cystic fibrosis but influence its severity. More ...

Waging War On Harmful Bacteria
Bacteria and microbes are everywhere. While most are harmless, or even beneficial, some do cause disease. People with cystic fibrosis may be affected by bacteria that are otherwise harmless in healthy people. More ...

Muscle Loss in Cystic Fibrosis
People with cystic fibrosis experience difficulty breathing. Often, this is because of severe infection in the lungs or progressive damage to lung tissue due to inflammation. However, breathing problems can be worsened by muscle loss in the diaphragm – the muscle used for breathing. More ...

Reviewed/updated: 2012-01-05