Research Bio

John Gerhart is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology.  His work studies the early development of the amphibian Xenopus laevis, particularly the development of Spemann's organizer, which induces most dorsal and anterior structures of the embryonic body axis, those most characteristic of the chordate phylum.

Research Expertise and Interest

developmental biology, Xenopus laevis, Spemann's organizer, cortical rotation, cell cycle after fertilization, vegetal materials, blastula stage, egg cytoplasm