Using CRISPR technology to investigate the function of primary ciliary dyskinesia candidate genes in the fruit fly, Drosophila

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an inherited condition affecting the lungs and fertility. It is most prevalent in ethnic communities. It is necessary to identify the faulty genes that can cause PCD. A number of ‘candidate’ genes have been suggested from animal studies including, perhaps surprisingly, the fruit fly. This insect is commonly used for investigating fundamental aspects of disease mechanisms due to its ease of laboratory culture and genetic analysis. The student aims to characterise the roles of two such candidate PCD-causing genes in the fruit fly. She will mutate the genes (thereby mimicking the PCD condition) and look for the effects on the physiology of the flies. This information will be used in the future to guide human PCD research.