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CYSTIC FIBROSIS / BRONCHIECTASISThe Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis Unit conducts clinical and laboratory research into these serious respiratory conditions. The dedicated team is committed to assisting in the search for new and improved treatments, and providing high quality care for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) or bronchiectasis. In 2011 the clinical trials focus of the Unit was on a study to evaluate a new medication for individuals with CF G551D mutation. The Unit’s head, Dr Mulrennan was the principal investigator for this study. This medication achieved positive results and further trials for a related drug for individuals with the F508del-CFTR mutation were commenced. The Unit is very pleased to be part of this internationally recognised and extremely promising research direction. Laboratory research centred on a project that sought to investigate the role of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in CF related airway inflammation and CF related diabetes. The Unit continued to be very active in projects involving physiotherapy. In January, physiotherapist Jamie Wood, together with Prof Philip Thompson and Executive Officer Tineke Van der Eecken, travelled to Kununurra to investigate whether a visiting bronchiectasis service could be established for residents. Bronchiectasis is very prevalent in the Kimberly, particularly within the Aboriginal population and LIWA had hoped provide a physiotherapy based service that would help manage the impact of the disease within this community. However a number of challenges meant the project could not be progressed. Never-the-less the experience added to the Institute’s understanding of respiratory challenges facing remote communities and LIWA is hopeful of establishing services in remote communities in the future. In December Jamie Wood, in partnership with the SCGH Heart & Lung Physiotherapy Team, co-ordinated a very successful two-day seminar for respiratory physiotherapists on modern airway clearance techniques. This followed a recommendation made by Mr Wood after his Churchill Fellowship in 2010, to provide further postgraduate education in this field to physiotherapists in WA. The course which was run at SCGH and was supported by LIWA, was attended by 33 physiotherapists. The enormous contribution Sue Morey has made to the care of individuals with CF and lung disease generally, was deservedly recognised when she was named as a finalist in the WA Nursing and Midwifery Awards for 2011. StaffDr Siobhain Mulrennan, MBChB MRCP MD FRACP, Head of Unit; CF & Respiratory Consultant AwardsMr Jamie Wood. Abbott Products National Cystic Fibrosis Travel Scholarship 2011 to attend North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference and visit John Hopkins University Cystic Fibrosis Centre to study Cystic Fibrosis treatment adherence strategies. .
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