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.
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