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The Artificial Intelligence team at the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre is dedicated to delivering AI solutions for major challenges in respiratory healthcare and research.
Research
Cystic fibrosis clinical isolates of aspergillus fumigatus induce similar muco-inflammatory responses in primary airway epithelial cellsAspergillus is increasingly associated with lung inflammation and mucus plugging in early cystic fibrosis disease during which conidia burden is low and strains appear to be highly diverse. It is unknown whether clinical Aspergillus strains vary in their capacity to induce epithelial inflammation and mucus production.

Learn more about the Focus areas for the Wal-yan Respiratory Centre
Research
Variation in treatment preferences of pulmonary exacerbations among Australian and New Zealand cystic fibrosis physiciansDespite advances in cystic fibrosis (CF) management and survival, the optimal treatment of pulmonary exacerbations remains unclear. Understanding the variability in treatment approaches among physicians might help prioritise clinical uncertainties to address through clinical trials.
Research
Predicting disease progression in cystic fibrosisComprehensive scores incorporating clinical, lung function, imaging and laboratory data will become essential in the future for predicting disease progression and for use in clinical trials
Research
Progressive ventilation inhomogeneity in infants with cystic fibrosis after pulmonary infectionThis study aimed to determine how pulmonary inflammation & infection impacts on ventilation distribution throughout early life in people with cystic fibrosis.
Research
Randomised controlled trials in cystic fibrosis: What, when and how?The major morbidity and mortality from cystic fibrosis (CF) comes from progressive lung disease with bronchiectasis leading to respiratory failure

The Scientific Advisory Committee's (SAC) role is to provide scientific direction and to ensure the objectives of WAERP are reflected in the research performed; SAC forms part of our governance structure.
Bronchiectasis is a condition where the lungs become damaged and prone to infections.


Want to know how to be involved with WAERP? Or how long the project is running for? View our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for answers to these questions and more.
Research
Investigating the Implications of CFTR Exon Skipping Using a Cftr Exon 9 Deleted Mouse ModelSeverity and disease progression in people with Cystic Fibrosis is typically dependent on their genotype. One potential therapeutic strategy for people with specific mutations is exon skipping with antisense oligonucleotides. CFTR exon 9 is an in-frame exon and hence the exclusion of this exon would excise only 31 amino acids but not alter the reading frame of the remaining mRNA.
Research
BEAT CF pulmonary exacerbations core protocol for evaluating the management of pulmonary exacerbations in people with cystic fibrosisCystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare, inherited, life-limiting condition predominantly affecting the lungs, for which there is no cure. The disease is characterized by recurrent pulmonary exacerbations (PEx), which are thought to drive progressive lung damage. Management of these episodes is complex and generally involves multiple interventions targeting different aspects of disease. The emergence of innovative trials and use of Bayesian statistical methods has created renewed opportunities for studying heterogeneous populations in rare diseases.

The Australian Epithelial Research Program (WAERP) comprises of several parties, including our Chief Investigators, Compliance, Scientific and Clinical Teams, and our Student group.
Research
The effect of azithromycin on structural lung disease in infants with cystic fibrosis (COMBAT CF): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialStructural lung disease and neutrophil-dominated airway inflammation is present from 3 months of age in children diagnosed with cystic fibrosis after newborn screening. We hypothesised that azithromycin, given three times weekly to infants with cystic fibrosis from diagnosis until age 36 months, would reduce the extent of structural lung disease as captured on chest CT scans.
Research
Chest computed tomography: a validated surrogate endpoint of cystic fibrosis lung disease?Clinical trials for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease are important to test and optimise new therapeutic interventions.

News & Events
The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers awarded $11 million to support vital child health researchResearchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia have been awarded more than $11 million to support vital child health projects, under the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
Research
Which reference equation should we use for interpreting spirometry values for First Nations Australians? A cross-sectional studyTo evaluate the suitability of the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI)-2012 other/mixed and GLI-2022 global reference equations for evaluating the respiratory capacity of First Nations Australians.Â

Respiratory illness accounts for 12% of the age-standardised gap in mortality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.