In order to understand the molecular basis of the occurrence of pulmonary diseases like lung inflammation, fibrosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or cancer associated with environmental or occupational exposure to mineral dusts, investigators identified a novel gene called as mineral dust-induced gene mdig (GenBank BE441202, 2000; AY302110, 2006) as this gene was differentially expressed in alveolar macrophages of coal miners exposed to mineral dust. The gene discussed is ENSG00000279284; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.