Cystic fibrosis patient monitor

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease which affects the body’s ability to regulate chloride movement across epithelial cells, leading to life-limiting conditions such as chronic airway infection and pancreatic disease. Treatments for CF are emerging which aim to correct and enhance the underlying CFTR protein dysfunction which causes the disease. Sweat Cl- concentration is a key biomarker in gauging the efficacy of such treatments. To be able to measure Clin sweat non-invasively in real time, we are developing a wearable, chloride-sensitive patch. This study shows that pHEMA-adapted electrodes can be used to successfully detect clinically relevant changes in Cl- concentration. Studies carried out with an in vitro cell suggest that the electrodes could be used as part of a wearable device capable of monitoring transdermal chloride concentrations. Such a device would play a vital role in monitoring the impact emerging CF treatments have on CFTR functionality, the underlying cause of CF.