Cystic fibrosis lung Targeted Locus (Loci)

The airways of persons with cystic fibrosis (CF) typically harbor complex bacterial communities. Currently, however, we have very little understanding of how the structure and activity of these communities influence the course of lung disease in CF. In particular, he day-to-day stability of these communities is unknown. Further, airway community dynamics in the days immediately preceding exacerbation of respiratory symptoms have not been studied. The goal of this study is to analyze the daily dynamics of the airway bacterial community in CF lung around the time of pulmonary exacerbation.