Judith Yanowitz, PhD

Each day, our genome is confronted with hundreds of insults that damage our DNA and must be repaired to ensure the proper functioning of our cells and the faithful segregation of our genetic material to the next generation. The work in the Yanowitz lab uses the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, to molecularly and genetically characterize the processes that maintain genome integrity in developing germ cells. The work is divided into three mains area of research: 1) pathways that control and monitor meiotic recombination, the exchange of DNA between maternal and paternal chromosomes, 2) pathway choice during DNA double-strand break repair and 3) general mechanisms of germ cell development and aging.

Chromosome segregation errors during the formation of egg and sperm are major causes of miscarriage and infertility. Further, greater than seventy percent of miscarriages arises from defects in meiotic crossover recombination. Our studies have identified proteins that control when, where and how many crossovers occur per chromosome. These studies provide insight into the etiology of human chromosome abnormalities by illuminating why some chromosomes are more susceptible to missegregation than others. These studies led us to identify a crossover surveillance system that ensures that each chromosome receives an exchange and delays development if they have not. Understanding how this system works may be exploited to identify oocytes that have properly executed all of the events of meiosis. Lastly, we have identified several key proteins that have dual roles in meiotic DNA repair and replicative repair, ensuring that meiotic exchanges and repair of double-strand breaks from genotoxic exposure are repaired with high fidelity. Thus, a deeper understanding of these proteins may provide insights into both reproductive health, as well as cancer.