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To become biologically active, most proteins must acquire a defined three-dimensional structure in processes that are mediated and monitored by molecular chaperones. Researchers based in Germany and the U.S., possibly for a first time,  have revealed how these chaperones identify particularly harmful errors in protein conformation, and induce their degradation. The…

Kary Coleman, director of development and alumni relations at Penn State University’s New Kensington campus, was honored as one of Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest in 2016 by  WHIRL Magazine and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) of Western Pennsylvania for raising more than $6,000 in six months — 153 percent of the…

Spyryx Biosciences recently announced that Dr. Alistair Wheeler is joining the company as its new chief medical officer. Spyryx, a clinical-stage biopharma specializing in therapeutics for respiratory diseases, is currently evaluating a potential treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF) in early clinical testing. Wheeler will be responsible for all aspects of clinical and medical processes and associated regulatory…

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a key protein that is defective in people with cystic fibrosis, is abundant in the gastrointestinal tract of people and may be a reason why CF patients are troubled by gastrointestinal problems, a recent collaborative study by researchers at Peking University Health Science Center and Shantou…

ProQR Therapeutics announced that it plans to announce proof-of-concept results from tests of its lead candidate to treat cystic fibrosis (CF), QR-010, at a scientific conference this year, and is continuing to advance the development of this and other transformative RNA medicines for severe orphan diseases like CF and Leber’s…

Pulmatrix‘s inhaled PUR1900 for treating pulmonary fungal infections in patients with cystic fibrosis(CF) has received orphan drug status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The designation was granted “based on a plausible hypothesis that (PUR1900) may be clinically superior to the same drug that is already approved for the same…

Young adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) are particularly vulnerable to depression. As a consequence, these patients may have low rates of adherence to treatments and a severely impaired quality of life, researchers report. The study, “Associations between adherence, depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life in young adults with…

Prenatal testing of people of reproductive age using an expanded carrier screening may increase the detection of hypothetical future fetuses at risk for up to 94 severe or profound conditions including cystic fibrosis, compared to the current recommendations by professional organizations, according to a recent study. Severe conditions are defined as…

Vertex Pharmaceuticals recently gave an update on its Phase 3 development program, which consists of four studies, on the investigational compound VX-661 in combination with Kalydeco (ivacaftor) as a treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The company plans to terminate one study, which is investigating VX-661 plus ivacaftor in people with one copy of…

Burkholderia contaminans, a bacteria belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is indeed an opportunistic pathogen in cystic fibrosis according to a study conducted by a team of international researchers.