Influenza A viruses (IAV) rely on host cells functions for replication. Genome-wide CRISPR screens provide a powerful way of understanding host-virus interactions. Based on CRISPR principle, a new screening platform known as Transcriptional Regulation by Pathogen Programmed Cas9 (TRPPC) screen has recently been developed, where sgRNA are directly encoded and delivered by IAV. The sgRNA can then program catalytically dead-Cas9 (dCas9) for modulation of host gene expression and its effect on IAV replication can be determined. We have performed preliminary experiments for establishing TRPPC screen for IAV in chicken lung epithelial cells (CLEC213). To assess TRPPC based activation of genes in chicken cells, we generated IAV expressing an sgRNA targeting a luciferase reporter promoter. This sgRNA expressing IAV upon infection in CLEC-dCas9 cells induced activation of the luciferase reporter and increased its expression. We have also been able to test TRPPC based activation of endogenous chicken genes in a similar fashion.  For proof of principle studies a pilot sgRNA-IAV library was constructed comprising 500 viruses targeting 90 endogenous chicken genes (4 sgRNAs per gene). The results from the pilot screen will demonstrate the feasibility of TRPPC in an avian cell line and establish the resources and framework for a comprehensive genome-wide TRPPC screen in the chicken host.