Researchers have identified through previous projects (FFC#14/2011, FFC#11/2014, FFC#15/2017 and FFC#8/2019) antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from the natural compound Esculentin that have shown high efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The research team also recently discovered that these Esc peptides are able to act as potentiators of the F508del mutated CFTR channel. The project aims to study the effect of Esc peptides as potentiators of mutated CFTR modulators by evaluating their possible additive/ synergistic effects. In addition, the research group aims to optimize the efficacy of peptides for their dual antimicrobial and potentiating function. A further aim of the project is to evaluate the ability of the selected peptides to preserve the antibacterial activity in the lung through a multidisciplinary approach both in vitro and in vivo.