The ECFS Awards at European CF Conferences | European Cystic Fibrosis Society (ECFS)

Updated: 14 November 2023

The ECFS Award

The ECFS Award is given annually to honour a person who has made an outstanding contribution to our basic understanding of cystic fibrosis or to the treatment or care of patients with cystic fibrosis. The winner of the award is invited to present a lecture at the Opening Plenary of the annual ECFS conference in June.

ECFS Members are cordially invited to nominate a candidate for this award. The deadline for proposals is 01 March 2023.

Proposals, accompanied by a detailed motivation and curriculum vitae of the candidate are to be mailed to the ECFS Executive Director, Christine Dubois.

The Gerd Döring Award

The Gerd Döring Award is given annually to honour an exceptional early career young European scientist. The Award, a monetary donation of 5,000 euro to support research, is presented at the Opening Plenary of the annual ECFS conference.

The award is primarily judged (80%) on a paper published in the previous 3 calendar years which has made a significant impact on the understanding or treatment of Cystic Fibrosis. Personal motivation and CV will make a 20% contribution to the scoring.

The award is open to PhD students and post-doctoral researchers with up to a maximum of four years’ academic research experience following the completion of their PhD, or be of equivalent professional standing at the date of publication of the paper.

We encourage mentors, supervisors and co-workers of today's most exceptional early career European scientists to send in nominations for this competition. Self-nomination is also encouraged. The deadline for proposals is 01 March 2023.

Nominations, accompanied by a detailed motivation, a PDF of the nominated paper and curriculum vitae of the candidate are to be mailed to the ECFS Executive Director, Christine Dubois (christine.dubois@ecfs.eu).

The Ettore Rossi Medal

From 2002 to 2007 the Ettore Rossi Medal Award was presented to honour a person who has made an outstanding contribution to our basic understanding of cystic fibrosis or to the treatment or care of patients with cystic fibrosis. In 2008 the ECFS Award was introduced to perpetuate the tradition of the Rossi Award.

2023 - 46th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Vienna, Austria

ECFS Award: Prof. Harm Tiddens, NL

Prof. Harm Tiddens (NL) receiving the award from the ECFS President, Prof.Isabelle Fajac

Gerd Döring Award:

The Gerd Döring Award was presented to Dr. Lúcia Santos (PT) in acknowledgement of her work.

Young Investigators Awards

From left to right

Christie Mitri, Paris, France
Floriana Guida, Genoa, Italy
Samantha Durfey, Seattle, USA

Best Poster Awards

Cell biology/Physiology – New Therapies/Clinical Trials: Heledd Haf Jarosz-Griffiths, Leeds, UK
- Heightened mitochondrial respiration and succinate levels in CF cells is normalised with triple CFTR modulator therapy through mechanisms involving cell calcium flux
Genetics/Neonatal Screening/Diagnosis: Emma Lundman, Oslo, Norway
- Clinical variability of the CFTR variant p.Arg117Cys uncovered by newborn screening for Cystic Fibrosis. Does the genetic background matter?
Epidemiology/Registry: Simeon Situma Wanyama, Brussels, Belgium
- Review of diagnostic labels for patients with unconfirmed CF diagnosis using Registry data
Pulmonology/Immunology/Inflammation: Anne Sofie Rosenborg Peretz Copenhagen, Denmark
- Arthritis in cystic fibrosis – case series and revie
Microbiology/Antibiotics: Edward Sizer, London, UK
- Real-world, single-centre evaluation of the efficacy of postal lower airway microbiology samples
Physiotherapy: Rachel Young, Cardiff, UK
- A marathon not a sprint: Establishing a physiotherapist led CF specific Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) service for Wales
GI/Metabolic complications/Liver disease: Gizem Tamer, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Bone mineral density in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis
Nutrition/Growth: Cian Greaney, Limerick, Ireland
- Diet quality assessment of adults with cystic fibrosis - comparison to population dietary guidelines: a cross-sectional study
Nursing/Psychosocial Issues: Alice Darby, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Evolving gender identification within the cystic fibrosis population and considerations on potential effects on lung function results.

2022 - 45th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Rotterdam, the Netherlands

ECFS Award: Prof. Kris De Boeck, BE

Prof. Kris De Boeck (BE) receiving the award from the ECFS President, Prof.Isabelle Fajac

Gerd Döring Award:

Dr. Alessandra Murabito, Turin, Italy

Young Investigators Awards

Simone Amistadi, Trento, Italy
Mattijs Bulcaen, Leuven, Belgium
Lisa Rodenburg, Utrecht, the Netherlands

2021 - 44th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Digital2021

Gerd Döring Award:

Dr. Peder Berg, Aarhus, Denmark

Young Investigators Awards

Melissa Iazzi (CA)
Marie-Madlen Pust (DE)
Iris Silva (PT)

2020 - 43rd European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Digital2020

Gerd Döring Award:

Dr. Paolo Scudieri, Puzzuoli, Italy

Young Investigators Awards

Frederik Holz, Berlin, Germany
Eline Lauwers, Antwerp, Belgium
Alessandra Murabito, Turin, Italy

2019 - 42nd European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Liverpool, United Kingdom

ECFS Award: Prof. Stuart Elborn, UK

Prof. Stuart Elborn (UK) receiving the award from the ECFS President, Prof.Isabelle Fajac

Gerd Döring Award: Dr. Elvira Sondo, IT

The Gerd Döring Award was presented to Dr. Elvira Sondo (IT), in acknowledgement of her work.

Young Investigators Awards

Martial Delion, Brussels, Belgium
Francesco Renato Luly, Rome, Italy
Christian Voldby, Copenhagen, Denmark

Best Poster Awards

Cell Biology/Physiology/New Therapies/Clinical Trials: Mayuree Rodrat, Bristol, UK
- RodratI vacaftor alleviates CFTR inhibition by the carbon monoxide-releasing small molecule CORM-2
Genetics: Carolina Crespo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- In the era of CFTR modulators, does newborn screening detect cystic fibrosis patients with residual function mutations?
Diagnosis/Screening: Miriam Malá, Brno, Czech Republic
- Skin-wipe sweat samples: sensitivity and specificity of (Cl-+ Na+)/K+ ratio
Pulmonology/Immunology/Inflammation: Laurie L.Smith, Sheffield, UK
- Ventilation MRI tracks longitudinal lung function changes in patients with cystic fibrosis and clinically stable FEV1 and LCI
Microbiology/Antibiotics: Edward F. Nash, Birmingham, UK
- The impact of transmissible strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the long-term clinical outcomes of adults with cystic fibrosis
Physiotherapy: Priscilla Flavia Bogoni, Verona, Italy
- Long term effects of non invasive ventilation for airway clearance in cystic fibrosis
Gastroenterology/Liver Disease/Endocrinology/Metabolic Complications: Dee Shimmin, Leeds, UK
- Impact of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump use for cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD)
Nutrition/Growth: Monika Mielus, Warsaw, Poland
- Nutritional status, body composition and pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis children and adolescents – age and gender relationship
Nursing/Psychosocial Issues: Emma Shaw Nuñez, Manchester, UK
- An audit of patients with cystic fibrosis and additional needs, and of reasonable adjustments to care provision at the Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre (MACFC).
Epidemiology/Registry: Morgane Willaume, Angers, France
- Comparison of the characteristics of patients enrolled in the 2016 French Cystic Fibrosis Registry according to the value of their sweat test.

2018 - 41st European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Belgrade, Serbia

ECFS Award: Dr. Su Madge, UK

Dr. Su Madge (UK) receiving the award from the ECFS President, Prof.Kris De Boeck

Gerd Döring Award: Dr. Tavs Qvist, DK

The Gerd Döring Award was presented to Dr. Tavs Qvist (DK), in acknowledgement of his work.

Young Investigators Awards

Samuel Lara Reyna, Leeds, United Kingdom
Iris Silva, Lisbon, Portugal
Mirjam Stahl, Heidelberg, Germany

Best Poster Awards

Genetics / Neonatal Screening/Diagnosis: Patricia Fitzpatrick, Dublin, IE
- A comparative study between clinically-diagnosed and screen-detected children with Cystic Fibrosis: parents’ economic costs prior to diagnosis
Cell Biology/Physiology/New Therapies: Kathryn Ramsey, Bern, CH
- Biochemical and biophysical properties of bronchial mucus from preschool children with cystic fibrosis
Pulmonology/Immunology/Inflammation: Giulia Spoletini, Leeds, UK
- Bicarbonate and oxygen saturation predict the need for fitness to fly test in patients with cystic fibrosis
Microbiology/Antibiotics: Lars Christophersen, Copenhagen, DK
- In vivo confirmation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms as independent pharmacological compartments – implication for antibiotic treatment.
Physiotherapy: Jamie Wood, Perth, Australia
- A smartphone application for reporting symptoms in adults with cystic fibrosis: a randomised controlled trial
Gastroenterology/Liver Disease/Endocrinology/Metabolic Complications: Francis Hollander, Utrecht, NL
- Bio-electrical impedance analysis and relationship with pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis patients
Nutrition/Growth: Ana Kotnik Pirš, Ljublijana, SI
- Cystic fibrosis related diabetes, chronic lung infection and low nutritional status increase the risk of cystic fibrosis related bone disease
Nursing/Psychosocial Issues: Pilar Leger, Nantes, France
- Support to self-esteem building among children aged 6 to 10 years old « My little notebook that makes me feel better
Epidemiology/Registry: Ruth Keogh, London, United Kingdom
- Personalized time-updated predictions of short-term and long-term survival in CF using UK Registry data
Genetics /Neonatal Sceening/Diagnosis:
- Highly commended -Elena Kondratyeva, Moscow, RU - Influence of the 1 phase of xenobiotics metabolism genes on the efficiency of antibacterial therapy in patients from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus
- Highly commended - 18 Rachael Armstrong, Dublin, IE - A bioethical framework for the evaluation of newborn bloodspot screening for cf

2017 - 40th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Seville, Spain

ECFS Award: Dr. Jeffrey Beekman

Dr. Jeffrey Beekman (NL) receiving the award from the ECFS President, Prof.Kris De Boeck
The ECFS Award has been presented to Dr. Beekman for his work CF intestinal organoid model.

Gerd Döring Award

The Gerd Döring Award was presented to Dr. Viola Camilla Scoffone (IT), in acknowledgement of her work B. cenocepacia.

Young Investigators Awards

Katie Farrant, London, United Kingdom
Katharina Staufer, Vienna, Austria
Yanan Wang, Adelaide, Australia

Best Poster Awards

Genetics / Neonatal Screening/Diagnosis: Nataliya Kashirskaya, Moscow, Russia
Cell Biology/Physiology/New Therapies: Sara Cuevas Ocana, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Immunology/Pulmonology/Inflammation: Thomas Scambler, Leeds, United Kingdom
Microbiology/Antibiotics: Abigail Cowley, Manchester, United Kingdom
Physiotherapy: Victoria Keenan, Southampton, United Kingdom
Gastroenterology/Liver Disease/Endocrinology/Metabolic Complications: Etna Masip, Valencia, Spain
Nutrition/Growth: Anne Mößeler, Hannover, Germany
Nursing/Psychosocial Issues: Heledd Lewis, Cardiff, United Kingdom
Epidemiology/Registry: Sabi Hippolyte, London, United Kingdom

2016 - 39th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Basel, Switzerland

ECFS Award: Prof.Diana Bilton

Prof.Diana Bilton receiving the award from the ECFS President, Prof.Kris De Boeck
The ECFS Award has been presented to Professor Diana Bilton for her outstanding contribution to to the treatment and care of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Gerd Döring Award

The Gerd Döring Award was presented to Gillian Lavelle (IE)
Dr. Gillian Lavelle is a post-doctoral research scientist in the Respiratory Research Laboratory of Professor Gerry McElvaney in RCSI, Dublin. Gillian obtained her undergraduate degree in Microbiology from Trinity College Dublin before completing her PhD in RCSI in 2015. Gillian’s studies culminated in the publication of the manuscript entitled “The basophil surface marker CD203c identifies Aspergillus species sensitisation in patients with cystic fibrosis”, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2015 in collaboration with Stanford University.

Young Investigators Awards

Katie Bayfield, London, United Kingdom
Lionelle Nkam, Paris, France
Vilma Rautemaa, Manchester, United Kingdom

Best Poster Awards

Genetics / Screening/Diagnosis - Petr Kuban, Brno, Czech Republic
CFTR/Cell Biology/New Therapies/Immunology/Inflammation - Gitte Berkers, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Microbiology - Katarzyna Semczuk, Warsaw, Poland
Pulmonology / Physiotherapy - Helen Douglas, London, United Kingdom
Gastroenterology/Liver Disease/Endocrinology/Nutrition/Growth - Elpis Hatziagorou, Thessaloniki, Greece
Epidemiology / Registry - Zhe Hui Hoo Sheffield, United Kingdom
Poster Nursing / Psychosocial Issues / Quality Improvement - Jorunn Homme, Oslo, Norway

2015 - 38th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Brussels, Belgium

ECFS Award: Dr.Carlo Castellani

Dr.Carlo Castellani receiving the award from the ECFS President, Prof.Kris De Boeck

The 2015 ECFS Award was presented to Dr.Carlo Castellani (Italy) to acknowledge his substantial and remarkable contribution to cystic fibrosis research and care. His main clinical and research interests lie in CF epidemiology, genotype/phenotype correlation, CF diagnosis, CFTR-related disorders, neonatal screening and CF adult care.

Gerd Döring Award: Florijn Dekkers (NL)

To honour the enormous contribution of Prof.Gerd Döring the ECFS has initiated a Gerd Döring Award that will be given annually to honour an exceptional early career young European scientist. This award includes a monetary grant of € 5000 to support research.

The first Gerd Döring Award was presented to Florijn Dekkers (NL)
Florijn Dekkers started her PhD project in 2010 in Jeffrey Beekman's lab in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Her main research focussed on CF organoids, a stem cell-based culture technology that allows rapid and limitless expansion of subject-specific tissue. Her paper published by Nature Medicine and describing forskolin induced swelling of intestinal organoids as disease model for CF was the first disease model in adult stem cultures with great impact on CF diagnosis, drug discovery and personalized medicine.

This paper described a novel functional CFTR assay in organoids generated from rectal tissue biopsies. This simple and robust assay relies on CFTR-dependent phenotypic organoid swelling induced by forskolin, and can be used to quantitate the residual subject-specific CFTR function and response to CFTR-modulating drugs.

Young Investigators Awards:

Susanne Dittrich, Heidelberg, Germany
Rebecca Keyte, Birmhingham, United Kingdom
Emma Reece, Dublin Ireland

Best Poster Awards

Genetics / Screening/Diagnosis: A.Mazur, Switzerland
Immunology/Inflammation/Cell Biology/New Therapies: Marianne Carlon, Belgium
Upper and Lower Airways / Physiotherapy: Luigi Graziano, Italy
Microbiology: Sabine M.P.J. Prevaes, The Netherlands
Gastroenterology/Nutrition/Bone/Vitamine D/Liver Disease: Griet Debyser, Belgium
Complications of CF/ Epidemiology / Registry: Chris Goss, USA
Nursing / Psychosocial Issues / Quality Improvement: Renata Zubrzycka, Poland

2014 - 37th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Gothenburg, Sweden

ECFS Award: Prof. Eitan Kerem

Prof. Eitan Kerem (left)receiving the award from ECFS President, Prof. Stuart Elborn

The 2014 ECFS Award was presented to Professor Eitan Kerem (Israel) to acknowledge his substantial and remarkable contribution to cystic fibrosis research. His interest in Cystic Fibrosis spans all aspects, i.e., the association between phenotype and genotype, prognostic factors for disease severity and prediction of mortality, the molecular mechanisms for disease variability, and development of new mutation-specific pharmacological therapies to correct the basic defects in Cystic Fibrosis. The promotion of the medical, ethical and rights aspects of children with chronic diseases is at the forefront of his interest. He published many papers in this field and is known for his advocacy for children in need.

He also has a record of building bridges between Israelis and Palestinians furthering peace through medicine wherever possible.

Young Investigators Awards

Brice Hoffmann, Paris, France
Katherine O’Neill, Belfast, United Kingdom
Rasmus L. Marvig, Copenhagen, Denmark

Best Poster Awards

CFTR/Cell Biology/Cell Physiology/ New Therapies - Maaike Berkhout, The Hague, The Netherlands
Genetics/Screening/Diagnosis - Andrea Holubová, Prague, Czech Republic
- Genetics/Screening/Diagnosis: Highly Commended - Corina Rueegg, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Genetics/Screening/Diagnosis: Highly Commended - Samya Nasr, Ann Arbor, MI United States
- Genetics/Screening/Diagnosis: Highly Commended - Veronika Krulišová, Prague, Czech Republic
Microbiology – Nina Cramer, Hannover, Germany
Immunology/Inflammation/Pulmonology – Jochen Mainz, Jena, Germany
Nursing / Psychosocial Issues – Frederick Frost, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Gastrointestinal / Liver Disease / Metabolic Complications of CF/ Nutrition – Anne Mößeler, Hannover, Germany
Physiotherapy – Fiona Shaw, London, United Kingdom
Epidemiology – Registry / Delivery of Care – Emem Ukor, Cambridge, United Kingdom

2013 - 36th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Lisbon, Portugal

ECFS Award: Prof. Kevin Webb

Prof. Kevin Webb (right)receiving the award from ECFS President, Prof. Stuart Elborn

The 2013 ECFS Award was presented to Professor Kevin Webb (United Kingdom) to acknowledge his substantial and remarkable contribution to cystic fibrosis care over 30 years. Also to recognise and honour the huge contribution his scientific research has had on our understanding of clinical care, genetics, and therapy – and the importance of cross infection of Burkholderia cepacia complex organisms and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Young Investigators Awards

Sheila Scheinert, Berlin, Germany
Arlene Glasgow, Belfast, United Kingdom
Sophie Cammidge, Leeds, United Kingdom

Best Poster Awards

Genetics - CFTR/Cell Biology/Cell Physiology - Nikhil Awatade, United Kingdom
Screening/Diagnosis - Aleksandra Norek, Poland
- Screening/Diagnosis: Highly Commended - Pedro Mondejo-Lopez, Spain
- Screening/Diagnosis: Highly Commended - Elke De Wachter, Belgium
New Therapies - Peter Barry, United Kingdom
Microbiology - Sandra dos Santos, Portugal
Immunology/Inflammation/Pulmonology - Arlene Glasgow, United Kingdom
Physiotherapy - Michael Doumit, Australia
Gastrointestinal / Liver Disease / Metabolic Complications of CF - Trond Engjom, Norway
Nutrition - Marianna Daldoss, Italy
Nursing / Psychosoal Issues - Rodrigo Sousa, Portugal
Epidemiology - Registry / Delivery of Care - Toby Toward, United Kingdom

2012 - 35th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Dublin, Ireland

ECFS Award: Prof. Niels Høiby

The 2012 ECFS Award was presented to Professor Niels Høiby (Denmark) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the understanding of Pseudomonas lung infection and translating this knowledge into better outcomes for people with cystic fibrosis. He was also recognised for his contribution as the Founding President of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society and his lifelong commitment to the CF center in Copenhagen.

Prof. Niels Høiby (right) receiving the award from ECFS President, Prof. Stuart Elborn

Young Investigators Awards

Kerstin Pohl, Dublin, Ireland
Pieter Goeminne , Leuven, Belgium
Sarah Rand, London, United Kingdom

Best Poster Awards

Genetics – CFTR/CellBiology/CellPhysiology - MarkBazett, Canada
Genetics: HighlyCommended - CarolinaCrespo, Argentina
Cesare Romano Award for Cystic Fibrosis Research (Screening/ Diagnosis) - Toni Torresani, Switzerland
Screening/Diagnosis: Highly Commended - Maria Machado, Uruguay
Cesare Romano Award for Cystic Fibrosis Research (New Therapies) - Lydia Powell, United Kingdom
Microbiology - Leanne McIlreavey, United Kingdom
Immunology/Inflammation/Pulmonology - Kelly Moffitt, United Kingdom
Physiotherapy - Maggie McIlwaine, Canada
Gastrointestinal/Liver Disease/Metabolic Complications of CF - N.H. McClenaghan, United Kingdom
Nutrition - I. Ramirez, United States
Nursing / Psychosocial Issues - Astrid Fidika, Germany
Epidemiology – Registry/Delivery of Care - Elke De Wachter, Belgium

2011 - 34th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Hamburg, Germany

ECFS Award: Prof. Gerd Döring

The ECFS Award was presented to Prof. Gerd Döring (Germany) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to unravelling of the complexities of infection and innate immunity in the CF lung and translating this knowledge into better treatment for people with CF. The ECFS also wished to recognise and honour the huge contribution he has made to the development of scientific research and clinical care in Europe through his leadership of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society.

Prof. Gerd Döring (left) receiving the award from ECFS President Stuart Elborn

Young Investigator Awards

Tamara del corral Núñez-Flores, Spain
Catriona Kelly, United Kingdom
Mette Kolpen, Denmark

Cesare Romano Awards for Cystic Fibrosis Research

Valentina Paracchini | Matthew Hurley

Best Poster Awards

CFTR / Cell Biology/Physiology: Caroline Raynal
Microbiology/ Antibiotics: Dervla Kenna
Immunology/ Inflammation: Lorraine Martin
Pulmonology: David Taylor-Robinson
Special Mention Poster (Pulmonology category): William Flight
Physiotherapy: Monica Donà
Gastroenterology/Liver Disease/Metabolic Complications: Lena Hjelte
Nutrition: Katy Hester
Nursing/Psychosocial Issues: Lisa Reynolds
Epidemiology/Registry/Delivery of care/Other Issues: H. Ambrose

2010 - 33rd European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Valencia, Spain

ECFS Award: Prof. Margarida Amaral and Dr. David Sheppard

The 2010 ECFS Award was presented to Margarida D. Amaral, Ph.D. and David N. Sheppard, Ph.D. in recognition of their huge contribution towards a European approach to CF, the testimony being the overwhelming success of the EuroCareCF project. The ECFS also wished to recognize their contribution towards the highly successful annual ECFS Basic Science Conferences initiated by Margarida Amaral in 2004.

From left to right: Dr. David Sheppard, Dr. Amparo Solé - President of the 33rd Conference, Prof. Margarida Amaral, Prof. Stuart Elborn - President ECFS

Young Investigator Awards

Annika Schmidt, Germany
Stefanie Diemer, Germany
Tiffany Dwyer, Australia

Cesare Romano Awards for Cystic Fibrosis Research

Alix de Becdelièvre, France
Uwe Schushnig, Germany

Best Poster Awards

CFTR/Cell Biology/Physiology: Rémy Sauvé, Canada
Microbiology/Antibiotics: Timothy Kidd, Australia
Immunology/Inflammation: Stefanie Diemer, Germany
Pulmonology: Kent Green, Denmark
Physiotherapy: Tiffany Dwyer, Australia
Gastroenterology/Liver Disease/Metabolic Complications: Rifat Rashid, UK
Nutrition: Meenu Rezaie, UK
Nursing/Psychosocial Issues: Evelyn Janetta, UK
Epidemiology/Registry: Abaigeal Jackson, Ireland

2009 - 32nd European Cystic Fibrosis Conference - Brest, France

ECFS Award

The ECFS Award was jointly presented to Prof. Lap Chee Tsui, Prof. Batsheva Kerem, Prof. Francis Collins and Prof. John Riordan - 20 Years of CFTR Gene Discovery.
The discovery of the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis in 1989 was a major milestone in our understanding of cystic fibrosis and also represented at that time a significant advance in the approach to identifying genes responsible for disease. The discovery of the gene represented collaborative work between laboratories, at that time in Michigan and in Toronto. This has been a great model for subsequent collaborative work using this genetic information to better understand how cystic fibrosis is caused and new treatments to correct the basic gene and protein defects.