Dr. Caryl Forristall

 Dr. Caryl Forristall is interested in the genes involved in the development of vertebrate embryos, in particular, the amphibians Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis. These interests have led to a variety of projects, from the analysis of localized mRNAs in the egg, to the role of the gene Xwnt3A in the ear, to the genetic control of taste in the tadpole.  There are currently two projects being performed by the undergraduates in the laboratory: 

1.  An analysis of the effects of agricultural pollutants on the development of the frog embryo. (This project is based on a collaboration with Dr. Rebecca Lyons in the Chemistry Department.)
   
   
2.  An analysis of possible developmental differences due the differences in the gene expression patterns of Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis.

Recent Publication:

Forristall, C.A., Stellabotte, F., Castillo, A. and A. Collazo (2014) Embryological Manipulations in the Developing Xenopus Inner Ear Reveal an Intrinsic Role for Wnt Signaling in Dorsal-Ventral Patterning.  Developmental Dynamics 243: 1262-1274