Carole Yauk, Ph.D.
Research scientist, Mutagenesis Section
Health Canada
Tunney’s Pasture
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0L2

Office: Environmental Health Centre, Tunney’s Pasture
Phone: 613-941-7376 / Fax: 613-941-8530
Email: carole_yauk@hc-sc.gc.ca

Our primary research centres on the development and application of novel genomic approaches in toxicology. We seek to identify new endpoints and outcomes associated with toxic insult. Identification of novel effects will lead to the development of innovative biomarkers and elucidation of mechanisms involved in toxic response. Within this broad theme, we are particularly interested in the impact of exposure to toxic chemicals on embryos and gametes (effects on the next generation). Some ongoing projects include:
• The effect of exposure to particulate air pollution (environmental and diesel exhaust particles) on heritable mutagenesis and reproductive outcome. Previous studies have shown that exposure to urban air particulates in industrial areas can result in mutation in spermatogonial stem cells (Yauk and Quinn 1996; Yauk 1998; Yauk, Fox et al. 2000; Somers, Yauk et al. 2002; Yauk 2004). We are currently extending these investigating to examine sources of particulates, priority chemicals, mechanisms of action, stages of susceptibility and effects on oogenesis in females.
• Potential reproductive effects of exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke. We are studying germline mutation using single molecule PCR (Yauk, Dubrova et al. 2002; Yauk, Bois et al. 2003) and global changes in gene expression in response to exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke. Differences in toxic effects among brands and multi-generational effects are also under investigation.
• Predictive validation of gene expression against known clinical endpoints. We use both commercial and our own microarrays (Yauk, Berndt et al. 2004) to develop biomarkers of exposure and elucidate mechanisms of action of toxic chemicals.
• Validation of in vitro versus in vivo toxicological assays using microarrays. We are currently characterizing the genetic response of cells in culture compared to cells in whole tissues.
• The effect of hypothyroidism in developing mice on neurodevelopment. Despite the recognized importance of thyroid hormones for normal brain development, little is known about the critical molecular events underlying this role. We are investigating the molecular basis of thyroid hormone action on the developing brain at the genome, transcriptome and proteome level.
Somers, C. M., C. L. Yauk, et al. (2002). "Air pollution induces heritable DNA mutations." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99(25): 15904-7.
Yauk, C. (1998). "Monitoring for induced heritable mutations in natural populations: application of minisatellite DNA screening." Mutat Res 411(1): 1-10.
Yauk, C. L. (2004). "Advances in the application of germline tandem repeat instability for in situ monitoring." Mutat Res 566: 169-82.
Yauk, C. L., M. L. Berndt, et al. (2004). "Comprehensive comparison of six microarray technologies." Nucleic Acids Res 32(15): e124.
Yauk, C. L., P. R. Bois, et al. (2003). "High-resolution sperm typing of meiotic recombination in the mouse MHC Ebeta gene." Embo J 22(6): 1389-97.
Yauk, C. L., Y. E. Dubrova, et al. (2002). "A novel single molecule analysis of spontaneous and radiation-induced mutation at a mouse tandem repeat locus." Mutat Res 500(1-2): 147-56.
Yauk, C. L., G. A. Fox, et al. (2000). "Induced minisatellite germline mutations in herring gulls (Larus argentatus) living near steel mills." Mutat Res 452(2): 211-8.
Yauk, C. L. and J. S. Quinn (1996). "Multilocus DNA fingerprinting reveals high rate of heritable genetic mutation in herring gulls nesting in an industrialized urban site." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 93(22): 12137-41.