Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a life threatening, inherited disease of the exocrine glands. The condition primarily affects the digestive and respiratory systems which become clogged with a thick, sticky mucus. Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene which results in an excess of salt and water passing into cells, causing a thick, sticky mucus to build up in bodily passageways.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that affects the production and flow of mucus within the lungs and digestive system, parts of the body that then become clogged with a thick, sticky mucus.

Cystic Fibrosis Causes

Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms

Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis

Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

Genetics of Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis Screening

Cystic Fibrosis Questions

Coping With Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis Facts

Cystic Fibrosis Epidemiology

Cystic Fibrosis Prognosis

See more featured articles »

Cystic Fibrosis Research

Could CRISPR Repair CFTR in Cystic Fibrosis Patients?

Sweat Test for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis and Salty Skin

Cystic Fibrosis Evolution

Lung Transplantation for Cystic Fibrosis

Gene Therapy as a Potential Cure for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis and Infertility

Cystic Fibrosis History

Tests for Cystic Fibrosis During Pregnancy

Latest Cystic Fibrosis News and Research

Aggressive lung pathogen may not be prone to person-to-person transmission

A little-known bacterium -; a distant cousin of the microbes that cause tuberculosis and leprosy -; is emerging as a public health threat capable of causing severe lung infections among vulnerable populations, those with compromised immunity or reduced lung function.

30 May 2023

Understanding how bacteria work together could lead to new ways of treating severe infections

"Know thy self; know thy enemy" - Sun Tzu. That quote is from centuries ago, but it is applicable in so many ways.

9 May 2023

Innovative 3D-printed wearable sensor for sweat analysis

Sweat is more than just a sign of a good workout. It holds vital information about our health, providing clues to dehydration, fatigue, blood sugar levels and even serious conditions such as cystic fibrosis, diabetes and heart failure.

4 May 2023

The Wonder of DNA: Reflections from Dr. Francis Collins on the 20th Anniversary of the Human Genome Project

To highlight how far the field of genetics has come, we spoke with Dr. Francis Collins, the leader of the Human Genome Project about his incredible career in genetics.

25 Apr 2023

Discovery could pave the way for new approaches to treating chronic respiratory diseases

An international research team has discovered a new cell state in embryonic airway development that has been overlooked until now.

11 Apr 2023

Understanding how surface factors influence or inhibit biofilm formation in the presence of antibiotics

Similar to how cells within human tissues communicate and function together as a whole, bacteria are also able to communicate with each other through chemical signals, a behavior known as quorum signaling (QS).

5 Apr 2023

New type of nanoparticle can deliver messenger RNA encoding useful proteins to the lungs

Engineers at MIT and the University of Massachusetts Medical School have designed a new type of nanoparticle that can be administered to the lungs, where it can deliver messenger RNA encoding useful proteins.

30 Mar 2023

Understanding the structure of CFTR could help design more effective therapies for cystic fibrosis

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Rockefeller University have combined their expertise to gain a better understanding of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).

23 Mar 2023

£3 million funding to support the development of new antimicrobials for cystic fibrosis patients

Today (16 March 2023), Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Syndicate in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) announces a £3 million Collaborative Discovery Programme for drug discovery innovators to accelerate the development of new treatments for people with CF.

20 Mar 2023

Study demonstrates long-term safety and clinical benefit of combination therapy for cystic fibrosis

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) face difficulty breathing and a decline in lung function and are at risk of early death. CF is an inherited condition that results in thick mucus build-up, persistent infection and inflammation in the lungs.

15 Mar 2023

A review on two novel eating disorders

Researchers review existing data on avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and atypical-type anorexia nervosa (AN).

13 Mar 2023

Using sweat to diagnosis disease: soft microfluidic analysis systems assess health status

Researchers explored microfluidic systems with a skin interface in assessing chemical exposure and health status.

27 Feb 2023

UCI-led study uncovers how APOBEC3B protein could protect cells against RNA viruses

A new University of California, Irvine-led study uncovers how a protein, APOBEC3B, could protect cells against many different types of RNA viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), SARS-CoV2, influenza virus, poliovirus and measles, helping to prevent disease.

22 Feb 2023

Machine learning algorithm predicts DNA insertion efficiency of prime editing

A new tool to predict the chances of successfully inserting a gene-edited sequence of DNA into the genome of a cell, using a technique known as prime editing, has been developed by researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

15 Feb 2023

9 out of every 10 people hospitalized with the flu have at least one underlying medical condition

Leading health organizations are urging people to get a flu shot if they haven't already done so. Compared to last year's mild flu season, the U.S. has already seen more than three times the number of flu-related deaths.

6 Feb 2023

Novel tool uses AI to predict the efficacy of genome-editing repair options

Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a new tool that uses artificial intelligence to predict the efficacy of various genome-editing repair options.

2 Feb 2023

AI tool promises to accelerate the development of gene therapies on a large scale

An artificial intelligence (AI) program may enable the first simple production of customizable proteins called zinc fingers to treat diseases by turning genes on and off.

26 Jan 2023

Genetic disorder that causes immunodeficiency and susceptibility to opportunistic infections discovered

An international consortium co-led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center immunogeneticist Rubén Martínez-Barricarte, PhD, has discovered a new genetic disorder that causes immunodeficiency and profound susceptibility to opportunistic infections including a life-threatening fungal pneumonia.

23 Jan 2023

Understanding the mechanisms involved in heart disease and cancers

In a crucial step towards understanding the mechanisms involved in cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, a Canadian led research team has succeeded in a world first: they've found the molecular mechanism by which the protein PCSK9 degrades the receptor of low density lipoproteins, the richest cholesterol particles in the bloodstream.

19 Jan 2023

Cystic fibrosis drug shows promise to treat pneumonia

Pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and pneumococcus can cause severe pneumonia. If the airways then fill with fluid, the patient risks developing acute respiratory distress syndrome.

22 Dec 2022