News

3 Vertex researchers win $3M prize for CFTR modulator discoveries

Researchers from Vertex Pharmaceuticals have been awarded the 2024 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for their work developing CFTR modulator therapies for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Breakthrough Awards, known as the “Oscars of Science,” are granted to scientists who have made important discoveries in life sciences, fundamental…

High rate of infections with SCVs found in CF patients in new review

Infections with Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants, known as SCVs, are highly prevalent in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) — and linked to the previous use of the broad-spectrum antibiotic trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, a systematic literature review has found. SCVs are slow-growing bacteria that are associated with higher rates of chronic…

New target may aid antibiotics in treating M. abscessus infection

A newly identified therapeutic target showed a potential to enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics against resistant Mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs) lung infection, a damaging complication in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), researchers report. Experiments using human airway organoids derived from CF patients also accurately reflected many features seen in their…