Francesco Marchetti
Adjunct Research Professor
| Degrees: | Doctor of Science, cum laude (University of Rome) |
| Phone: | 613-957-3137-7352 |
| Email: | Francesco.marchetti@canada.ca |
| Office: | Environmental Health Centre, Health Canada Tunney’s Pasture, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9 |
| Website: | Visit my lab website |
Current Research
Research at Health Canada is aimed at providing support for regulatory decisions on chemicals and consumer products. Research scientists in my Bureau are responsible for evaluating the potential hazards posed by chemicals and consumer products encountered in a wide range of environmental and occupational settings. My research focuses on using both animal models and human subjects for developing, validating and implementing novel methods for identify endogenous and exogenous factors that affect the genetic integrity of germ cells and developing embryos, and the transmission of de novo mutations to the offspring. To achieve these goals, we use various molecular biology approaches including transgenic rodent models, cytogenetic methodologies, and next generation sequencing. Undergoing research interests include: identification of chemicals that induce genetic alterations in germ cells; the effects of in utero exposure on the induction of somatic mosaicism; the transmission of de novo mutations to the offspring; and the role of dietary folate in protecting against germ cell mutagenesis.
Selected Publications
O’Brien JM, Beal MA, Yauk CL, Marchetti F (2016) Benzo(a)pyrene is mutagenic in mouse spermatogonial stem cells and dividing spermatogonia. Toxicological Sciences, 152:363-371. Epub: May 13, 2016.
O’Brien JM, Beal MA, Yauk CL, Marchetti F (2016) Next generation sequencing of benzo(a)pyrene-induced lacZ mutants identifies a germ cell-specific mutation spectrum. Scientific Reports, 6:36743. Epub: November 10, 2016
Valente WJ, Ericson NG, Long AS, White PA, Marchetti F*, Bielas JH* (2016) Mitochondrial DNA exhibits resistance to induced point and deletion mutations. Nucleic Acids Research, 44(18):8513-8524. Epub: August 22, 2016. *Co-Corresponding authors. Breakthrough Article featured on the cover page.
Meier MJ, O’Brien JM, Beal MA, Allen B, Yauk CL, Marchetti F (2017) In utero exposure to benzo(a)pyrene increases mutation burden in the soma and sperm of adult mice. Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(1):82-88. Epub: July 22, 2016.
Beal MA, Yauk C, Marchetti F (2017) From sperm to offspring: assessing the heritable genetic consequences of paternal smoking and potential public health impacts. Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research, 773:26-50. Epub: April 12, 2017.