The Calgary Adult CF Clinic Biobank (CACFB)
In Calgary we maintain a one-of-a-kind biorepository of clinical samples derived from individuals with CF. This biobank serves the basis of many research projects from our group. This biobank was initiated in the late 1970s by Dr. Harvey Rabin and continues to this day.
Bacterial Pathogens
In collaboration with our clinical laboratory (Calgary Laboratory Services), we prospectively collect each and every bacterial pathogen ever identified from every CF sputum sample submitted for analysis. This collection includes >40,000 individual isolates and includes every isolate from every single patient since 1978.
Archived Sputum
Since 1998 we have collected and stored residual CF sputum left over from that submitted for clinical microbiology assessment. This collection now includes >13,000 samples enabling detailed assessment of microbial communities.
This massive collection is linked to detailed clinical outcome information. Accordingly, we are we are uniquely positioned to study the effects of the CF related lung infections on patient outcomes and treatment response.
Current focuses projects from the CACFB include:
- Understanding epidemic Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its effect on clinical outcomes
- Defining the natural history of lung infections with uncommon CF pathogens
- Understanding infection transmission in CF
- Understanding Pseudomonas population diversity and evolution and its effect on clinical outcomes
- Understanding the role of the CF microbiome in lung disease and treatment response
CACFB contact information:
Patient Care Coordinator: Valerie Levesque
Phone: (403)220-5951
Fax: (403)270-2772
Email: vlevesqu@ucalgary.ca
Research administrator assistant: Frances Leighton
Phone: (403)220-8875
Email: fleighto@ucalgary.ca
Health Sciences Centre (HSC), Area 6A
Foothill Campus
University of Calgary
3330 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1