Turning discoveries into human impact

The Clinical Phenotyping Core (CPC) helps researchers rapidly translate basic and pre-clinical discoveries into human cystic fibrosis (CF), CF carrier, and non-CF studies. We remove barriers to accessing human subjects, biospecimens, and clinical data, so your science can move forward efficiently and compliantly.

What We Do

One Core-End-to-End clinical research support.

We partner with investigators at every stage of clinical and translational research, from study design to data analysis.

🔹 Study & Regulatory Support
  • IRB submissions, amendments, and renewals
  • Protocol and study design development
  • Human subjects compliance (GCP-certified staff)
  • CRU I-Cart submission support
  • Source document development
🔹 Participant Recruitment & Study Visits
  • Recruitment of CF, CF carrier, and non-CF participants
  • Informed consent
  • Conducting study visits
  • Early-phase, mechanistic, and investigator-initiated trials
🔹 Clinical Testing & Procedures
  • Spirometry
  • Multiple Breath Washout
  • Sweat Chloride Testing
  • Nasal Potential Difference Testing
  • Sputum Induction
  • Nebulized treatments
🔹 Biospecimen Collection & Processing
  • Blood (with CRU/clinic support)
  • Sputum
  • Urine
  • Stool
  • Saliva
  • Throat swabs
  • Specialized collections (e.g., OGTT samples)

All samples are processed and stored by trained, IATA- and GCP-certified staff.

🔹The UI CF Biobank

A centralized, investigator-ready resource

The CPC maintains a robust physical and electronic biobank of CF, CF carrier, and non-CF biospecimens, collected during routine care and clinical research.

🔹Available Samples Include:
  • Blood (plasma, serum, buffy coat, DNA)
  • Sputum
  • Urine
  • Stool
  • Specialized and non-routine samples (upon request)

Samples are linked to clinical data through standardized consent, enabling rapid access for approved studies.

🔹Data & Analysis Support
  • Clinical data extraction and entry
  • Access to de-identified or IRB-approved identifiable data
  • Support for data analysis
  • Abstract and manuscript preparation
🔹Why Work With Us?
  • Accelerated access to human samples and data
  • Expertise in mechanistic and pathophysiology-driven research
  • Support for studies not covered by pharma-focused networks
  • Proven track record translating animal and bench discoveries to humans

Core Leadership

LOK

Katie Larson Ode, MD

Professor, Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes

Dr. Ode joined the University of Iowa in 2011 to establish a clinical and research focus in cystic fibrosis–related diabetes (CFRD). She is internationally recognized for paradigm-shifting work demonstrating that glucose abnormalities in CF begin in early childhood. She currently leads CFF-funded, multi-center clinical studies and oversees a nationally important biobank of blood and plasma samples that support biomarker discovery for islet dysfunction in CF.

Anthony Fischer

Anthony Fischer, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine

Dr. Fisher is a physician-scientist whose research program focuses on mucus production and associated oxidative stress in CF. His laboratory understands mucus obstruction of both the airways and the digestive tract and how bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus exploit this problem. His recent publications have demonstrated a potential role for pancreatic enzymes in relieving meconium ileus. They are also investigating whether some Staphylococcus aureus genotypes increase the risk of CF-related diabetes mellitus. 

Highlighted Publications

  • Liu CM, Fischer JL, Zemanick ET, Woods JC, Markarian KK, Fain SB, Froh D, Heltshe SL, Hoffman LR, Humphries SM, Kramer EL, Ode KL, Lewis M, Li DA, Mata J, Milla SS, Niedbalski PJ, Sawatzky BD, Sim MS, Sullivan JS, Trout AT, Goss CH, Taylor-Cousar JL, Beswick DM. The impact of highly effective modulator therapy on sinusitis and dysosmia in young children with cystic fibrosis: a prospective study protocol. ERJ Open Res. 2025 Jan 13;11(1):00137-2024. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00137-2024. PMID: 39811548; PMCID: PMC11726580.
  • Gordon K, Chapman CG, Harklau NM, Ode KL, Wright BA. Improvements in Serum 25(OH)D Following Stoss Dosing in People With Cystic Fibrosis and Variable Adherence to Maintenance Regimens: A Retrospective Chart Review. Health Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 5;8(8):e71142. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.71142. PMID: 40766771; PMCID: PMC12322582.
  • Zirbes CF, Feder A, Pamatmat AJ, Bartels AR, Pitcher NJ, Rozen AL, Teresi M, Krogh J, Regan M, Arnold EA, Hill JJ, Reinhardt LD, Oberto CL, Boyken L, Reeb VC, Moustafa AM, Planet PJ, Fischer AJ. Genetic Concordance of Staphylococcus aureus From Oropharyngeal and Sputum Cultures in People With Cystic Fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2025 Jan;60(1):e27475. doi: 10.1002/ppul.27475. PMID: 39785222; PMCID: PMC11715147.
  • Kienenberger ZE, Farber TO, Teresi ME, Milavetz F, Singh SB, Larson Ode K, Thoma T, Weiner RL, Burlage KR, Fischer AJ. Patient and Caregiver Perceptions of Airway Clearance Methods Used for Cystic Fibrosis. Can Respir J. 2023 Jul 28;2023:1422319. doi: 10.1155/2023/1422319. PMID: 37547298; PMCID: PMC10403321.
  • Zirbes CF, Pitcher NJ, Davis JC, Bartels AR, Krogh JD, Teresi M, Farber T, Milavetz F, Pamatmat AJ, Rozen AL, Reinhardt LD, Boyken L, Singh SB, Twait E, Reeb VC, Ford BA, Fischer AJ. Staphylococcus aureus detection from CF respiratory samples is improved using alternative media. J Cyst Fibros. 2022 Sep;21(5):888-889. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2022.04.017. Epub 2022 Apr 29. PMID: 35491319; PMCID: PMC10152491.
  • Fischer AJ, Singh SB, LaMarche MM, Maakestad LJ, Kienenberger ZE, Peña TA, Stoltz DA, Limoli DH. Sustained Coinfections with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Cystic Fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2021 Feb 1;203(3):328-338. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202004-1322OC. PMID: 32750253; PMCID: PMC7874317.
  • Porterfield HS, Maakestad LJ, LaMarche MM, Thurman AL, Kienenberger ZE, Pitcher NJ, Hansen AR, Zirbes CF, Boyken L, Muyskens BL, Pezzulo AA, Singh SB, Twait E, Ford B, Diekema DJ, Reeb V, Fischer AJ. MRSA strains with distinct accessory genes predominate at different ages in cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2021 Sep;56(9):2868-2878. doi: 10.1002/ppul.25559. Epub 2021 Jul 16. PMID: 34219414; PMCID: PMC8395597.
  • Granados A, Chan CL, Moheet A, Vigers T, Arbeláez AM, Larson Ode K. The impact of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor on body composition in a small cohort of youth with cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2023 Jun;58(6):1805-1811. doi: 10.1002/ppul.26388. Epub 2023 Mar 17. PMID: 36929859.
  • Chan CL, Granados A, Moheet A, Singh S, Vigers T, Arbeláez AM, Yi Y, Hu S, Norris AW, Ode KL. Glycemia and β-cell function before and after elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in youth and adults with cystic fibrosis. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2022 Nov 13;30:100311. doi: 10.1016/j.jcte.2022.100311. PMID: 36620757; PMCID: PMC9816065.
  • Fischer AJ, Kilgore SH, Singh SB, Allen PD, Hansen AR, Limoli DH, Schlievert PM. High Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin Gene Cluster Superantigens in Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Isolates. Genes (Basel). 2019 Dec 12;10(12):1036. doi: 10.3390/genes10121036. PMID: 31842331; PMCID: PMC6947208.
  • Singh SB, McLearn-Montz AJ, Milavetz F, Gates LK, Fox C, Murry LT, Sabus A, Porterfield HS, Fischer AJ. Pathogen acquisition in patients with cystic fibrosis receiving ivacaftor or lumacaftor/ivacaftor. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2019 Aug;54(8):1200-1208. doi: 10.1002/ppul.24341. Epub 2019 Apr 22. PMID: 31012285; PMCID: PMC6641998.
  • Wright BA, Schuyler DM, Peña T. The rebound effect: Reoccurrence of nasal polyps following discontinuation of a CFTR modulator in a patient with cystic fibrosis sinus disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2024 May 15. doi: 10.1002/ppul.27066. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38751016.
  • Bista SR, Pena T, Schissel ME, Smith LM, Murphy PJ, Dickinson JD. Restless legs syndrome is prevalent in adults with cystic fibrosis and impacts sleep quality. J Cyst Fibros. 2024 Jan;23(1):137-143. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2023.10.016. Epub 2023 Nov 15. PMID: 37973438.
  • Beck MR, Hornick DB, Pena TA, Singh SB, Wright BA. Impact of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor on bacterial cultures from people with cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2023 May;58(5):1569-1573. doi: 10.1002/ppul.26362. Epub 2023 Mar 1. PMID: 36807558.
  • Yi Y, Norris AW, Wang K, Sun X, Uc A, Moran A, Engelhardt JF, Ode KL. Abnormal Glucose Tolerance in Infants and Young Children with Cystic Fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016 Oct 15;194(8):974-980. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201512-2518OC. PMID: 27447840; PMCID: PMC5067820.