Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

Airways of CF Patients Show High Prevalence of Fungi: Study

Most people with cystic fibrosis (CF) have fungi in their airways, but the fungi may come and go in waves of activity, a Spanish study suggests. The study, “Fungal microbiota dynamics and its geographical, age and gender variability in patients with cystic fibrosis,” was published in Clinical Microbiology…

Staph Bacteria Infection Linked to Worse Lung Function in CF

Young patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have a lung infection caused by Staphylococcus bacteria may have worse lung function and more exacerbations than those who are infected with Pseudomonas bacteria, a Brazilian study has found. The study, “Lower airway microbiota and decreasing lung function in young Brazilian…

Molecular Glue May Help CFTR Protein Work Better

A type of ring-shaped molecule called a macrocycle can help CFTR — the faulty protein in cystic fibrosis (CF) — go to the cell’s membrane, where it exerts its action, and work better in lab-grown cells carrying the most common CF-causing mutation, a study showed. These benefits were associated…

Kaftrio May Ease CF Symptoms of Acid Reflux, Sinonasal Infection

Kaftrio, a triple combination of elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor sold as Trikafta in the U.S., may ease acid reflux and symptoms of nasal and sinus cavity infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with advanced lung disease, a U.K.-based study found. The study, “Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor improve gastro-oesophageal reflux and…

Use of CFTR Modulators May Protect Against Severe COVID-19

Taking so-called CFTR modulators — medications to correct the disease-causing faulty CFTR protein in cystic fibrosis (CF) — may significantly reduce a patient’s risk of severe COVID-19, according to a study by an international team of researchers. In fact, non-lung transplant CF patients in the U.S. and the U.K. using…