Schneider-Futschik laboratory: Cystic Fibrosis pharmacology
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Head of Laboratory
Dr Elena Schneider-Futschikelena.schneider@unimelb.edu.au
+61 3 8344 9041
Research Overview
View Dr Schneider Futschik's latest PubMed publications listing here.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life limiting disease caused by defective or deficient cystic fibrosis trans-membrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity. The recent approval of CFTR modulator drugs targets the majority of CF patients with a certain CFTR-mutation.
Our innovative research program seeks to identify how these drugs move (pharmacokinetics, PK), work (pharmacodynamics, PD) and interact in the human body, and uses this information to optimise efficacy.
Our inter-linked research themes are:
- Understanding the treatment challenges associated with drug-drug interactions in cystic fibrosis and characterising the PK/PD of CFTR modulators and their metabolites
- Investigating how the prolonged exposure to bacteria induces tolerance during CFTR modulator therapy in cystic fibrosis.
- Understanding the cross-talk between CFTR modulator drugs and antibiotics
- Elucidating the exposure of CFTR modulators during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Staff
Dr Elena Schneider-Futschik, Group leader
Dr Rafah Allobawi, Research assistant
Dr Mao Pu, visiting Postdoctoral researcher
Drishti Ghelani, Honours student
Collaborators
Professor John Wilson, The Alfred Hospital
Associate Professor Gauri Rao, UNC
Dr Jane Bourke, Monash University
Professor Gary Anderson, University of Melbourne
Dr William Figgett, Peter Doherty Institute
Dr Felisa Reyes-Ortega, Granada University
Professor Isabelle Sermet-Gaudelus, INSERM Paris
Professor Claire Wainwright, Health QLD
Associate Professor Tony Velkov, The University of Melbourne
Professor Jian Li, Monash University
Mrs Clare Walter, Climate Energy College Melbourne
Funding
2019-2022 NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellowship. Systems pharmacology of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator correctors and potentiators. EK Schneider
Research Opportunities
This research project is available to PhD students, Honours students, Master of Biomedical Science to join as part of their thesis.
Please contact the Research Group Leader to discuss your options.
Research Publications
Scientific advocacy
2019: Expert Position Statement on health-based standards for Australian regulated thresholds of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone in ambient air. Published: Lung Foundation Australia