Andrea Lobo, PhD,  science writer—

Andrea Lobo holds a Biology degree, and a PhD in Cell Biology/Neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. She was a postdoctoral and senior researcher at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health in Porto, in drug addiction, studying neuronal plasticity induced by amphetamines. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals. She shifted towards a career in science writing and communication in 2022.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

UCLA researcher wins grant to advance CF gene therapy delivery

A researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has been awarded the Elizabeth Nash Postdoctoral Fellowship to develop a targeted cystic fibrosis (CF) gene therapy delivery system, the university announced. The two-year, $65,000-per-year fellowship, awarded annually by the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute to support new…

Trikafta may ease depression, anxiety in adults with CF: Study

Treatment with Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) may ease anxiety and depression symptoms in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF), a study found. A higher proportion of patients experienced a clinically significant easing in both anxiety and depression symptoms than those who saw their symptoms worsen. Those with clinically significant changes in…

Kalydeco slows CF disease progression over time, study finds

Treatment with Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for almost eight years consistently improved lung function and reduced mortality in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), according to a study looking at several measures of disease progression. The therapy also significantly improved nutritional status, which together with reduced pulmonary exacerbations, hospitalizations, and lung…

Long-term Kaftrio increases gut microbiota diversity in CF

Extended treatment with Kaftrio progressively increases the diversity of the microorganisms in the gut in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), a recent study suggests. However, gut microbiota diversity remained significantly different from healthy people after about 1.5 years on the CFTR modulator, probably due to the use…

SPL84 therapy on FDA fast track for CF due to splicing mutation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to SPL84, an experimental inhalation therapy for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) caused by the 3849+10 kb C-to-T mutation in the CFTR gene. The designation is given to accelerate the development and review of therapies meant to address unmet…