Scientists have discovered news genes for lung disease which they hope will lead to better treatment of the condition.
Five genetic variants associated with the health of the human lung were identified by an international team of almost 100 scientists.
The team, led by Dr Martin Tobin from the University of Leicester and Professor Ian Hall from the University of N
ottingham, did not expect its findings to lead immediately to genetic tests to predict who will develop lung disease.
But the discovery of the genes will help scientists to understand the underlying causes of lung diseases and could thus lead to new forms of treatment for conditions such as asthma.
A spokesman for the team said: "This work is important because until now we have known very little about the genetic factors that determine an individual's lung function.
"By identifying the genes important in determining lung function, we can start to unravel the underlying mechanisms which control both lung development and lung damage.
"This will lead to a better understanding of diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
"Crucially, it could open up new opportunities to manage and treat patients with lung conditions."
COPD affects about one in 10 adults over 40 and is thought to be the fourth most common cause of death worldwide.
The research involved samples from 20,000 people worldwide.
The study is published in Nature Genetics.
