A New Frontier in Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

Joined by Kelly Grover, CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and board members Adam Gordon and Kathryn Deuchars, Sebastian and his family witnessed first hand how Professor Li and his lab are working to discover new treatments for CF.

Supported by research funding from Cystic Fibrosis Canada, the Li lab is exploring new ways to treat cystic fibrosis by leveraging lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver therapeutic RNA molecules directly into affected cells. This approach aims to overcome the genetic errors that cause cystic fibrosis, and could stand as a significant step forward in CF therapy.

"Professor Li's research was the top-ranked project of our Early Career Investigators funding" said Grover. "His research is so important to us at CF Canada because we're focused on trying to find solutions for those who are most burdened by the disease. Unfortunately, this is often individuals who do not have access to new therapies."

"Because there is a drug on the market to help those suffering from CF, you're less likely to see researchers encouraged to enter this filed" continued Grover. "That's why Professor Li's work is so meaningful to us, because we're not at the end of this disease."

While touring Professor Li's lab, Sebastian and his siblings were presented with their very own lab coats, and treated to a kid-friendly display of the many technologies employed by the Li Lab to conduct their research. 

"Seeing the nanoparticles light up on the lung cell was just incredible" said Vicky. "Genuinely, from my heart, I want Professor Li and his lab to know how important their work is to us. We represent people that will be directly impacted by their research."

"Hope is sort of an intangible thing, but this gives me something to hold onto".