Every cell in our body (except red bloodcells) has a full set of genes. There are approximately 30.000 genes in each chromosome. Human organization cells have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Every pair has one chromosome from each of our parents. Cystic Fibrosis gene is found in chromosome 7.  A child suffering from Cystic Fibrosis has inherited from each parent, who is a carrier of the disease, from one chromosome with the disease. Genes consist of DNA parts, which have the “recipe” for the construction of a specific cell, usually a protein. The proteins are the “building materials” of the human body.

In 1989 an international group of scientists discovered that the gene responsible for Cystic Fibrosis is gene 7. They found that a specific protein which is called CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator), is responsible for the transportation of water and salt in and out of the cell to the lungs and the peptic system. This specific protein does not function properly to those who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis, with the result more salt and less water to be extracted from the cells. This is the reason why the excretions are “stick” to the lungs and the sweat is very salty.

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