The Airway Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutic Targeting track is the home of all airway and lung research that forms the scientific basis for understanding CF lung disease and discovering novel CF lung therapies. Research areas include airway cell culture and molecular biology, ex vivo experiments on native tissues,  lung organoid culture systems, stem cell science, models of airway innate defense and pathogen interactions, as well as lung imaging and biomarker studies focused on CF lung disease and its treatment. The goal of the APPTT group is to use the roadmap laid out by exciting new knowledge of lung biology to accelerate the discovery of effective lung therapies for all individuals living with CF.New accordion content

The Extrapulmonary Physiology & Pathophysiology includes, but is not limited to, GI manifestations such as intestinal, hepatobiliary, and exocrine pancreatic function and pathology, endocrine dysfunction related to pancreas, growth axis, effects of CF on bone, nutrition research, models of CF non-pulmonary manifestations, genetics of non-pulmonary manifestations, as well as cell physiology and dysfunction involved in any of these areas.

The Infection, Microbiology, and Immunity track focuses on understanding how pathogens and host cells interact in the CF tissue environments (including the lung, sinuses, and GI tract), including determining which microbes and host cells contribute to pathology in CF, how microbial communities interact with each other and the host, and which immune responses are essential for host defense. Research embraced by this track includes basic microbiology, cellular immunology relating to host defense, animal models of infection and resulting inflammation, and clinical and translational research that seeks to elucidate mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions and their impact on disease progression and clinical outcomes.

The Path to a Cure/CFTR Biology track includes: 1) leading-edge technologies directed towards better treatment of cystic fibrosis, and 2) basic electrophysiology, cellular biology, and protein chemistry related to understanding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Areas of particular interest comprise nucleotide-based therapeutics, genome editing of the CF locus, and viral or non-viral strategies to maximize efficient, durable, and safe delivery of molecular interventions to respiratory tissues. New insight regarding CFTR structure/activity, modulator response, and specific approaches to overcome nonsense, splice, and other refractory CFTR variants are also pursued.

The Health Equity, Care Delivery and Access to Care track includes research on areas related to CF care models from the perspectives of people with CF, clinicians, and health systems. Topics include, but are not limited to, access to care, advocacy, cost, expenditures, and payment, cost-effectiveness analysis, health disparities, equity and diversity, health policy, health care utilization, health insurance and coverage, and social complexity and social determinants of health.

The Pharmacy track will encompass clinical and translational research focused on optimizing medication therapy for people with cystic fibrosis. Topics include but are not limited to, determination of the real-world efficacy and safety of medications, optimal dosing of medications to improve outcomes, mitigation of adverse effects or drug interactions, the evolving role and impact of the pharmacist and pharmacy technician as members of the multidisciplinary cystic fibrosis care teams, medication access, adherence, and advocacy, and transitions of care.

The clinical track is broad and encompasses several research topics. As such the clinical track is designed to have content for all members of the CF multidisciplinary care team. This track includes research on diagnosis (including clinical genetics, counseling, genetic variation), pulmonary assessment (i.e., PFTs, bronchoscopy, radiological assessment) and treatment of pulmonary disease.  Clinical trials of treatments for people with CF as well as research evaluating novel clinical outcomes in the era of modulator therapy are included here. Sub-specialty areas such as gastrointestinal disease (including liver disease, nutritional issues, vitamin supplementation) as well as endocrine topics such as bone health, diabetes, and hormonal disorders fall within the clinical track. A goal of clinical research is to better understand the needs of the CF population thus clinically relevant population-based research, particularly using large databases or clinical registries, will help us learn about the evolving needs of the CF population. Finally, research focused on managing individuals around the time of transplant can be found within the clinical track.

The nursing track will encompass best practices and research about aspects of cystic fibrosis (CF) care throughout the lifespan. Topics include, but are not limited to, managing complex care coordination (inpatient/outpatient), creating dynamic team collaboration, promoting health maintenance and self-care management, building successful transition programs, getting involved in clinical research, and navigating complex insurance woes impacting care delivery. This track is designed for inpatient or outpatient nurses, program coordinators,  case managers, nurse navigators, advance practice providers, persons with CF or those caring for persons with CF, and any other discipline that is interested in the clinical practices and research of nursing in CF care.

The nutrition track will present research about CF and nutrition with a focus on the changing landscape since the advent of HEM at workshops and symposium. Opportunities to learn practical strategies for clinical settings will be offered through roundtable discussions, lunch & learn sessions, and discipline group meetings. Advanced nutrition geared towards adolescent and adult nutrition is available as a short course. Opportunity for questions and answers is available at all formats. This track is targeted for dietitians but will benefit advanced practice nurses and physicians as well as physical therapists and social workers interested in expanding their knowledge base.

The Social Work, Psychology, Psychiatry, & Child Life track encompasses the socioemotional, psychological, behavioral, and neurological aspects of cystic fibrosis (CF) care across the lifespan.  Topics include, but are not limited to, promoting emotional wellness (patient/family), the impact of CF on mental health & clinical interventions aimed at improving mental health and adherence, and impacts of life transitions as it relates to CF  (change in school/work status, family planning, lung transplantation, palliative care). This track is designed for social workers, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, child life specialists, public health officials, persons with CF or those caring for persons with CF, and any other discipline that is interested in the latest clinical practices and research in psychosocial care.

The physical and respiratory therapy track encompasses research and modalities related to exercise, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems/pain/therapies, urinary and bowel incontinence, vestibular and balance, inhaled medications, airway clearance techniques/devices/equipment, and spirometry with a focus on the changing world of these dynamicsA since the advent of HEMT. Opportunities to learn practical strategies for clinical settings will be offered through the different session types available. This track is targeted for physical and respiratory therapists but will benefit advanced practice nurses, physicians, and all allied health professionals interested in expanding their knowledge base.