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Cystic Fibrosis Genetic Resource Centers

Resource centers designed to promote newborn screening sensitivity and best practices.

The Center for Public Health Innovation, with grant support from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is pleased to announce the launch of two Cystic Fibrosis Newborn Screening Genetic Testing Resource Centers. Resource Centers have been designed to promote equitable and sensitive newborn screening practices.


Genetic Testing Resource Centers:

  • The Newborn Screening Laboratory at Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene

  • The Newborn Screening Program at the Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health


The Center for Public Health Innovation will support the infrastructure and educational activities surrounding the implementation of sequencing through the Resource Centers.

Services offered:

  • Comprehensive sequencing of the CFTR coding region and flanking intronic regions to allow:

    • Panel-based genotyping of dried blood spots, targeting CF-causing variants, as defined by CFTR2 (http://cftr2.org/)

    • Reporting of variants of varying clinical consequences (upon request)

    • CFTR gene sequence analysis/re-analysis without the panel restriction (upon request)

  • Technical assistance for programs seeking to implement next generation CFTR sequencing

  • The cost of services will be managed through contractual agreements between the newborn screening program and the respective laboratories providing services.


Expanded Capacity and Impact:

  • With the support of grant funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, both centers have expanded their infrastructure to better support the receipt, processing, testing, reporting, and tracking of additional specimens. This enhancement allows them to manage over 50% of the CFTR screening required across the U.S., ensuring more accessible cystic fibrosis newborn DNA testing and sequencing.


For additional information, please contact

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