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

以果蝇的气管和背侧胸腔为模型系统，研究慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)的候选基因。将分别在苍蝇的背侧胸腔和气管系统进行61个肺功能基因同源的两次RNAi筛选。来自这些筛查的“Hit”将被仔细分析，并确定候选基因同源基因之间的相互作用程度和维持上皮细胞的动态平衡。最终入围的三个最相关、最具治疗作用的基因将被翻译到人类系统中进行表达研究。

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.