Cystic Fibrosis News and Research

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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.

Intricate Relationship Between Goblet Cells and the Gut Microbiome

In a new study, scientists from the University of California, San Diego have shed light on the crucial function goblet cells—specialized gut-lining cells—play in preserving a balanced and healthy immune environment in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Dr. Fernanda Raya Tonetti led the project, and Dr. Cristina Llorente made important contributions.

13 Nov 2024

A New Statistical Method to Mitigate AI Bias in Genetic Research

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are cautioning that the growing use of artificial intelligence techniques in genetics and medicine may result in incorrect inferences regarding the relationship between genes and physical traits, such as risk factors for diseases like diabetes.

5 Nov 2024

Study Reveals Impact of Genetic Mutations on Protein Localization

The team developed a high-throughput imaging platform to assess the influence of nearly 3,500 mutations on protein location. They found that roughly one in six disease-causing mutations led to proteins ending up in the wrong location in the cell.

28 Oct 2024

Structural Insights into Bacteriophages Open Doors for New Therapeutics

The viruses that infect bacteria are the most abundant biological entities on the planet. For example, a recent simple study of 92 showerheads and 36 toothbrushes from American bathrooms found more than 600 types of bacterial viruses, commonly called bacteriophages or phages.

23 Oct 2024

EVQ-218: A Promising Candidate for Tackling Superbugs Without Triggering Antimicrobial Resistance

As the United Nations (UN) prepares to address the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance, EVŌQ Nano is helping raise awareness through an educational infographic depicting a common trigger of antimicrobial resistance and highlighting EVQ-218's novel mechanism of action.

18 Oct 2024

UC San Diego and UC Berkeley Collaborate on Innovative Antibiotic Resistance Solution

University of California San Diego and University of California Berkeley researchers have been awarded up to $7 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to conduct research under the PROTECT project -; Pro/Prebiotic Regulation for Optimized Treatment and Eradication of Clinical Threats.

14 Oct 2024

The Influence of 'Silent' Mutations on Genetic Disorders

Genetic disorders -; like cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease -; are considered incurable, with gene mutations occurring in essentially every cell of the body.

29 Aug 2024

Mini-Gut Model Unlocks Secrets of COVID-19 Diarrhea

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine claim to have identified multiple molecular pathways linked to diarrhea caused by COVID-19, offering possible therapeutic interventions utilizing human stem cells to create a sort of “mini intestine-in-a-dish.

7 Aug 2024

Mucus-Based Bioink Shows Promise for 3D-Printed Lung Tissue

Each year, lung illnesses claim the lives of millions of people worldwide. There are few available treatments, and animal models used to research these conditions and potential drugs are insufficient. Researchers have now successfully developed a mucus-based bioink for 3D printing lung tissue.

31 Jul 2024

UQ Researchers Reveal Mechanism of Immune Evasion by Haemophilus influenzae

Researchers from The University of Queensland have identified how a common bacterium is able to manipulate the human immune system during respiratory infections and cause persistent illness.

12 Jul 2024

New Gene Editing Technique Outperforms Existing Therapies

Cystic fibrosis, a prevalent genetic disorder, leads to thick mucus accumulation in the lungs and other parts of the body, resulting in breathing difficulties and infections.

11 Jul 2024

Selfish No More: Genetic Elements Give Phages a Competitive Edge

Curious bits of DNA tucked inside genomes across all kingdoms of life historically have been disregarded since they don't seem to have a role to play in the competition for survival.

7 Jul 2024

High-Pressure Processing Revolutionizes Food And Pharmaceutical Industries

How high pressure impacts protein structure, unfolding, refolding, and crystallization.

1 Jul 2024

Flower Bulbs and Compost Carry Hidden Threat of Fungal Infection

That pile of soil you bought at the home improvement store may contain more than just dirt, according to new research from the University of Georgia.

26 Jun 2024

Engineered Enzyme Boosts Gene Editing Efficiency for Potential Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

Researchers at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have enhanced a gene-editing technology, enabling it to efficiently insert or substitute entire genes in the genome of human cells.

11 Jun 2024

Sonification Reveals Hidden Patterns in Protein Folding Dynamics

By converting their data into sounds, scientists discovered how hydrogen bonds contribute to the lightning-fast gyrations that transform a string of amino acids into a functional, folded protein.

21 May 2024

Warwick researchers discover giant phage with potential as a treatment for lung infections

Scientists have found a new bacteria-fighting agent that can attack a common lung infection caused by Burkholderia bacteria.

4 Apr 2024

Scientists Design Proteins to Reach Hidden Cellular Targets

Drug developers have long faced challenges in reaching targets embedded within the cell membrane because of the membrane's complex biochemical properties. Chemists at Scripps Research have now shown that novel, specially made proteins are capable of effectively reaching these “intramembrane” targets.

14 Mar 2024

Novel Antibiotic Discovery: Harnessing Energy Compounds to Combat Bacterial Infections

About a decade ago, researchers in UC Santa Barbara chemistry professor Guillermo Bazan's lab began to observe a recurring challenge in their research: Some of the compounds they were developing to harness energy from bacteria were instead killing the microbes.

22 Feb 2024

Retrotransposon-Based PRINT Technique Holds Potential for Precise Gene Insertion

The recent approval of a CRISPR-Cas9 therapy for sickle cell disease demonstrates that gene editing tools can do a superb job knocking out genes to cure hereditary disease.

22 Feb 2024