Detection of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Activity in Rectal Tissues From Human Subjects

1. Non-CF subjects Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female 18-75 years of age at enrollment * Undergoing colonoscopy for clinical care * Written informed consent obtained from subject or subject's legal representative and ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study Exclusion Criteria: * Any medical condition or laboratory values that in the opinion of the onsite principal investigator and/or collaborating gastroenterologist may place the subject at significant risk by undergoing the additional research related biopsies * Subjects with a history of radiation therapy to the rectum, prostate and/or pelvic area 2. CF subjects undergoing a surgical procedure for clinical care Inclusion Criteria: * Confirmed diagnosis of CF based on the following criteria: ∆F508 homozygous * Male or female 18 years of age or greater at enrollment * Patient undergoing planned colonoscopy or other surgical procedure and agrees to undergo sigmoidoscopy and biopsy * Written informed consent obtained from subject or subject's legal representative and ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study Exclusion Criteria: Any medical condition or laboratory values that in the opinion of the onsite principal investigator and/or collaborating gastroenterologist may place the subject at significant risk by undergoing the additional research related biopsies, including: * Significantly diseased distal rectal/gastrointestinal (GI) tissue (as judged by the collaborating gastroenterologist including radiation injury or history of radiation therapy to the rectum, prostate and/or pelvic area * Significant hemorrhoids or vascular abnormalities (as judged by the collaborating gastroenterologist) * Significant colonic infection (as judged by the collaborating gastroenterologist) 3. CF subjects undergoing sigmoidoscopy biopsy procedure for study purposes only Inclusion Criteria: * Confirmed diagnosis of CF based on the following criteria: ∆F508 homozygous * Male or female 18 years of age or greater at enrollment * Written informed consent obtained from subject or subject's legal representative and ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study * CBC, PT/PTT within acceptable range (see exclusion criteria for values) within 14 days of the procedure * Negative pregnancy test (if applicable) completed within two (2) days of the procedure Exclusion Criteria: Any medical condition or laboratory values that in the opinion of the onsite principal investigator and/or collaborating gastroenterologist may place the subject at significant risk by undergoing the additional research related biopsies, including: * Bleeding diathesis (platelets \<50,000, INR \>1.5) * Anemia (hemoglobin \<10 gm/dL, or hematocrit \<30% * White blood count \>20,000 * Neutropenia (ANC \<1,500) or lymphopenia (absolute lymphocyte count \<1,500) * Positive pregnancy test (if applicable) * Breastfeeding * Significantly diseased distal rectal/GI tissue that could place the study subject at risk by participating in the study (as judged by the collaborating gastroenterologist, such as significant hemorrhoids, vascular abnormalities, colonic infection, radiation injury or history of radiation therapy to the rectum, prostate and/or pelvic area) * Use of drugs with significant risks of compromising immunity (oral steroid use \> 20 mg/day)