Cystic Fibrosis

A rare genetic disease that is debilitating, painful and life-shortening, cystic fibrosis is caused by a faulty gene that controls the movement of salt and water through cells. While sounding simple, cystic fibrosis sufferers often experience the clogging of internal organs with sticky mucus that attracts infection, with many cystic fibrosis patients dying of chronic lung damage.

A lifelong illness, children with cystic fibrosis are especially worrying, with many children passing away within their first year before the Second World War. Associate Professor Dr. Jessie Anne De Bruyne tells us more about the illness and the research that is being undertaken to help.