One of the great advantages of conducting our biochemical studies in Drosophila is that we can combine our biochemical insights with in vivo studies. We are systematically mutating each of the components identified in our biochemical studies and we have already uncovered novel roles for mRNA localization in regulating protein secretion and in stem cell function. In parallel with this reverse genetic approach, we are also conducting forward genetic screens to identify novel regulators and targets of the mRNA localization machinery.