New genes for lung disease discovered

New genes for lung disease discovered. Study reveals genes linked to lung function - %0A > - Under strict embargo until: - 18.00 (GMT) - Sunday 13 December 2009 Scientists have discovered five genetic variants that are associated with the health of the human lung. The research by an international consortium of 96 scientists from 63 centres in Europe and Australia sheds new light on the molecular basis of lung diseases. The new findings provide hope for better treatment for lung diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma. In the past it has been difficult to develop new treatments because the molecular pathways that affect the health of the lung are not completely understood. It's hoped the new pathways discovered could in the future be targeted by drugs. The ground-breaking research involved a genetic study of 2.5 million sites across the human genome involving samples from 20,000 people across the world.