Cystic fibrosis (CF) and Chronic Lung Infection (CLI)

The Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Lung Infection research group is led by Professor Stuart Elborn and Professor Jane Davies

The group covers research into cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), which collectively accounts for the majority of chronic lung infections. 

The research group combines adult and children's disease and has Europe's largest CF clinics (900 patients), 1200 patients with bronchiectasis, and the biggest national diagnostic service for PCD (300 patients). 

Current research 

New therapies

  • Clinical trials of small molecule CFTR modulators, anti-infectives, anti-inflammatories and gene therapy (collaboration with Alton & Griesenbach, Department of Gene Therapy)
  • Development of lung clearance index as a trial outcome measure (European CF Society Core Over-Reading Centre)

Infection/inflammation

  • CF Trust-funded Strategic Research Centre for Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Fungal infection (Armstrong-James)
  • The microbiome in chronic lung infection (collaborations with Cookson, Moffatt & Bush)
  • Innate and adaptive immunity in chronic lung infection
  • Home monitoring and biomarkers

Electrophysiology

  • Nasal potential difference

PCD advanced diagnostics

  • genetics and novel imaging of ciliary structure and function (Hogg, Shoemark)