Algae against fibrosis

One of the most serious complications of cystic fibrosis (CF) is the thick mucus that coats a patient’s airways, which can be extremely difficult to cough up. These patients must have comprehensive physical and medical treatment to cope. Now researchers at NTNU’s Department of Biotechnology have discovered that particles from brown algae can loosen up this mucus. The discovery offers hope that CF patients will be able to clear their lungs by themselves in the natural way by breathing in algae particle dust through a standard inhaler. A clinical trial will soon be underway.