Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, a genetic disorder, is a common factor in lung diseases like COPD and emphysema. Dr. Mark Brantly’s research examines how AAT interacts with environmental factors that trigger the disorders. His findings are important because many physicians remain unaware of the genetic background of the diseases they treat.  Much of Brantly’s work has been funded by University of Florida royalties derived from Gatorade, the brainchild of Robert Cade.