Investigators: Stephen Stick, Nat Eiffler, Nadzirah Bashir, Jaqueline Macpherson
About BANK CF: Central to the research objectives of AREST CF is the establishment and development of a comprehensive research databank and biobank, known as BANK CF.
About AREST CF: The Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic Fibrosis (AREST CF) program has grown from an early surveillance program initiated in Perth in 1999, which performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to evaluate pulmonary infection and inflammation, as well as infant lung function testing. The program was extended to include measurement of preschool lung function in 2003 and chest computed tomography (CT) scanning in 2005. The Melbourne CF clinic joined the program in 2005 and we have been successfully operating as a single entity since. The current program consists of a core clinical program, with additional research studies. Children are assessed clinically at various times, including: annual surveillance assessment; at routine clinic attendances; on hospitalisation for respiratory exacerbations; and following treatment to eradicate pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa).
AREST CF is a collaborative project between The Kids Research Institute Australia and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). This initiative engages clinicians, researchers and the wider community. AREST CF contributes to CF research worldwide, provides a strong collaborative and training environment, is internationally competitive, and successfully attracts new expertise and strategic partnerships AREST CF is a significant asset for the Australian community as it increases child and adolescent health research capacity, research productivity and translational impact.