Information for the cystic fibrosis community

This page is aimed at people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and the wider CF community.

The Trailfinder CF Innovation Hub aims to support people with CF at all life stages by developing new approaches to treating lung infections, managing exacerbations and maintaining healthy lungs.

We believe that two-way interaction between the CF community and researchers is essential for the success of this translational research project, and the CF community’s involvement and engagement is at the centre of our hub.

Patient-focused research priorities

In designing this hub, we have listened to the priorities of people with CF and aligned with a number of the James Lind Alliance priorities.

Find out more about our research priorities.

How the CF Community is involved in Trailfinder CF

Clinical Study Involvement and Participation

We have involved people with CF from the early stages of clinical study design to ensure that research questions, outcomes, and methodologies align with their priorities and preferences. We will ensure that data collected is considered from both a clinical and individual perspective, and that data collection is implemented efficiently to lessen the burden on people with CF who are participating in the study.

We are working with our colleagues from the University of Manchester Pulse CF Hub to deliver the UNIFIED-CF study.

The study will take place at hospitals across the UK. We aim to recruit the first patient in Liverpool in September 2025 and hope to open recruitment at more centres by the end of the year.

You may hear about the study from your CF team during an outpatient visit or if you are admitted to hospital. If you’d like to know more, please ask your CF team.

Target product profiles

People with CF are actively involved in the development of phage target product profiles (TPPs). A TPP is a document that outlines the desired characteristics of a therapeutic product for a specific disease. Involving people with CF in the development of a new TPP for phage therapy will ensure that the patient voice is at the heart of development and evaluation of these new treatments.

Citizen Phage Library

We are working with the Citizen Phage Library at the University of Exeter to support the collection of environmental phages. By taking samples from a wide range of environments, the team can isolate new phages that could treat antibiotic-resistant infections. The wider CF community, such as family and friends, can support this by becoming Phage Hunters. Visit the Citizen Phage Library for more information on how to get involved. Please note, we do not encourage people with CF to directly collect samples due to infection risk.

Armchair adventures podcast

We are working with Made by Mortals to create a series of episodes for their Armchair adventures podcast. This project will bring together children who have lived experience of CF, with the Trailfinder CF research team, artists, and musicians, to co-produce fun and interactive audio content about CF, bacterial infections and new treatments.

If you are part of the CF Community and you are interested in taking part in this project, please contact trailfinder@liverpool.ac.uk for more information.

Phage augmented reality game and virtual reality experience

We are working with our colleagues at the University of Salford to develop an augmented reality game, and a virtual reality video experience, about phage therapy. We are keen to get feedback from the CF community and incorporate lived experiences and patient stories. We are hoping to run online focus groups in Autumn 2025.

If you are part of the CF Community and you are interested in taking part in this project, please contact trailfinder@liverpool.ac.uk for more information.

Coming soon

Watch this space for details of further opportunities to engage with our hub including:

Online talks and Q&A sessions
Managed lab tours
Opportunities to give talks about your experience to early career researchers.

In addition to our plans, we are happy to receive feedback about other areas or activities you would like to see or be involved with. If you have any questions, thoughts or feedback please contact trailfinder@liverpool.ac.uk.