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Biology

Martin J Cohn

Professor, Joint Faculty

Ph.D. University College London, UK, 1997

Research Interests

Evolutionary Developmental Biology: Molecular development of vertebrate external genitalia; Evolution of vertebrate limb development; Developmental genetic mechanisms of vertebrate skeleton evolution.

Representative Publications

  • O’Shaughnessy, K., Dahn. R. D., and Cohn, M. J. (2015). Molecular development of chondrichthyan claspers and the evolution of copulatory organs.  Nature Communications, NIHMS 666252, Publ.ID: NCOMMS-14-19837.
  • Herrera, A. M. and Cohn, M. J. (2014). Embryonic origin and compartmental organization of the external genitalia. Scientific Reports 4:6896. DOI: 10.1038/srep06896. (pdf)
  • Gredler, M. L., Larkins, C. E., Leal, F., Lewis, A. K., Herrera, A. M., Perriton, C. L., Sanger, T. J., and Cohn, M. J. (2014). Evolution of External Genitalia: Insights from Reptilian Development. Sexual Development, DOI: 10.1159/000365771.
  • Leal, F., and Cohn, M. J. (2014). Development of the hemipenes in the ball python snake Python regius. Sexual Development, DOI: 10.1159/0000363758.
  • Larkins, C. E., and Cohn, M. J. (2014). Phallus development in the turtle Trachemys scripta. Sexual Development, DOI: 10.1159/000363631.
  • Herrera, A. M., Brennan, P. L. R., and Cohn, M. J. (2014). Development of avian external genitalia: interspecific differences and sexual differentiation of the male and female phallus. Sexual Development, DOI: 10.1159/000364927.
  • Gredler, M. L., Sanger, T. J., and Cohn, M. J. (2014). Development of the cloaca, hemipenes, and hemiclitores in the green anole, Anolis carolinesis. Sexual Development, DOI: 10.1159/000363757.
  • Gredler, M. L., Seifert, A. W., and Cohn, M. J. (2014). Morphogenesis and patterning of the phallus and cloaca in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Sexual Development, DOI: 10.1159/000364817.
  • Herrera, A., Shuster, S., Perriton, C., and Cohn, M. J. (2013). Developmental basis of phallus reduction during bird evolution. Current Biology, 23: 1-10.
  • Zheng, Zhengui, and Cohn, M. J. (2011). Developmental basis of sexually dimorphic digit ratios. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 1-6.
  • Cohn, M. J. (2011) Development of the External Genitalia: Conserved and Divergent Mechanisms of Appendage Patterning, Developmental Dynamics, 240: 1108-1115.
  • Seifert, A. W., Zheng, Z., Ormerod, B. K. and Cohn, M. J. (2010). Sonic hedgehog controls growth of external genitalia by regulating cell cycle kinetics. Nature Communications 1:23, DOI:10.1038/ncomms1020.
  • Seifert, A. W., Bouldin, C., Choi, K. S., Harfe, B. D., and Cohn, M. J. (2009). Multiphasic and tissue-specific roles of Sonic hedgehog in cloacal septation and external genitalia development. Development 136: 3949-57.
  • Seifert, A. W., Yamaguchi, T., and Cohn, M. J. (2009). Functional and phylogenetic analysis shows that Fgf8 is not required for external genital development. Development 136: 2643-51.
  • Zhang, G., Eames, F. B., and Cohn, M. J. (2009). Molecular evolution of vertebrate cartilage development. Current Topics in Developmental Biology 86:15-42.