An in vivo genetic screen of lung function candidate genes using tissue-specific RNAi in Drosophila melanogastor.

To highlight and characterise the candidate genes for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) using the trachea and dorsal thorax of Drosophila melanogastor as a model system. Two RNAi screens of 61 lung function gene orthologues will be carried out in succession on the fly dorsal thorax and tracheal system respectively. 'Hits' from these screens are to be carefully analysed and the extent of interplay between candidate gene orthologues and the maintenance of epithelial cell homeostasis determined. A final shortlist of the three most relevant and therapeutically amenable genes will be translated into human systems for expression studies.