Nick Laboratory

The Nick Lab focuses on research in cystic fibrosis (CF). Cystic Fibrosis is cause by mutations in the CFTR gene and is the most common inherited disease in the western world. During their course of their lives, people with CF (pwCF) present with increased inflammation, persistent neutrophil accumulation in the airways and chronic bacterial infections of the lungs. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the most predominant bacteria in adult with CF. However, infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have been steadily increasing in the CF population.  

Our primary interest is NTM disease in the context of CF. We are actively seeking to improve diagnosis, treatment, and eradication of NTM in CF. We are leading or helping to conduct trials focusing on the detection of NTM, the diagnosis of NTM disease, and novel treatment of the infection.

Additionally, we are interested in the mechanisms that allow for survival of M. abscessus in the environment, the immune response to NTM, and the changes of the immune and inflammation response to antibiotic treatment during exacerbations in the era of modulator therapy.

Research Spotlight

The Nick Lab coordinates the study: "Human Blood Product Isolation for Studies of Inflammation and Host Defense." The study is more commonly known as “Blood Prep,” which provides investigators at NJH and the University of Colorado to study ex vivo leukocytes and other blood products from Healthy adult volunteers. Please see the resources tab for more information.

The Nick Lab also help facilitate and coordinate studies of NTM biomarkers by providing clinical samples and isolates linked to prospective NTM diagnostic and treatment trials. Learn More

Nick et al., 2022, Host and pathogen response to bacteriophage engineered against Mycobacterium abscessus lung infection, Cell 185, 1860–1874 May 26, 2022 ª 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.04.024 Resources & Services