Cystic Fibrosis
Grace Dockstader
What is Cystic Fibrosis?
Clubbed fingers are common among CF patients
Inhaled Drugs
Sweat Testing
Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis
Are There Treatments for Cystic Fibrosis?
Is There a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis?
In 1985, a scientist named Lap-Chee Tsui used DNA markers to track down the recessive CF gene to chromosome 7. This opened up a huge window for other scientists to find a cure. Francis Collins and Tsui were working when they came to the startling conclusion that most CF patients were missing a tiny sliver of DNA, a sequence of letters, CTT. In healthy subjects, the gene had 1,800 amino acids, while in CF patients, they had 1,799 amino acids. It was missing a vital amino acid, phenylalanine. Basically, the missing amino acid skewed the body's balance of salt and water. They developed a drug that would be put into the lungs (where CF was most deadly) that would send healthy genes to the lungs. The sick cells welcomed the healthy gene, allowing chloride to pass in and out of cells. Thus, CF has a semi-effective cure.