Spotlight on Research

Dr. Robert Hancock is the Killam Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and a Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia. He has published more than 700 scientific papers and has received several high-profile awards and honours in recognition of his work, including being appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2001. Dr. Hancock’s research focuses on understanding and overcoming antibiotic resistance and developing new treatments for difficult-to-treat infections, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

What I enjoy the most about my work is the process of discovery - the design of experiments and the development of experimental techniques that allow us to advance our understanding of CF.    

A team of researchers from across Canada and the US, including Cystic Fibrosis Canada-funded Dao Nguyen from McGill University, recently published their study on the impact of chronic lung infections on lung inflammation. Specifically, they looked at the role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial adaptations in promoting lung inflammation.

For many people with cystic fibrosis (CF), lung transplantation offers hope for a second chance at life. CF is characterized by chronic lung infection and inflammation, which causes tissue damage over time. When the lungs have become damaged to the point that their function is severely reduced, lung transplant becomes the only option. Unfortunately, in Canada, the demand (or need) for viable donor lungs, and other organs, vastly outweighs the supply, with almost 4500 Canadians on transplant waiting lists (Canadian Organ Replacement Registry Annual Report, 2011).

Dr. Keshavjee is a Thoracic Surgeon and the Director of the Toronto Lung Transplant Program at Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network. With the development of the Toronto Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion System, Dr. Keshavjee has revolutionized lung transplants and helped improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients post lung transplant. Cystic Fibrosis Canada has supported Dr. Keshavjee since 1999, providing nearly $2.3 million in research funding.

Despite significant progress in treating cystic fibrosis (CF), lung infections caused by germs, such as bacteria, viruses, yeasts and molds, remain a serious problem for those with CF and can lead to worsening of the disease. The Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines contain recommendations to reduce the risk of CF patients receiving or spreading potential pathogens in the CF clinic or hospital setting. 

Dr. Michael Surette is a Cystic Fibrosis Canada funded-researcher, Professor and Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Microbiome Research at the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University.