Richard R. Behringer, Ph.D.
Department of Genetics, Division of Basic Sciences
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Genetics, Division of Basic Science Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Ben F. Love Chair for Cancer Research, Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Research Interests
• Mammalian developmental genetics • Reproductive biology • Evolution and development
Our research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to the formation of a mammalian embryo, the genesis of tissues and organs during development, and the pathological consequences of developmental defects. In addition, we study the genetic mechanisms that result in organ morphology and physiology differences that have evolved between species. We utilize genetic, embryological and comparative approaches.The reproductive organs are essential for individuals to generate progeny and are a common source of disease. We are interested in defining the factors that cause the male and female phenotypes, including gonad and reproductive tract differentiation during embryogenesis and after birth. We are currently defining gene regulatory networks for reproductive organ development, using "-omics" profiling of developing reproductive organ tissues and generation of mutations in a variety of vertebrate species, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds.
We are also investigating developmental processes in diverse mammalian systems, including marsupials and chiropterans (bats). Mammalian embryogenesis and reproduction are very diverse between species, comparisons provide novel insights for reproduction, embryonic development and organogenesis. We collaborate with Marilyn Renfree (University of Melbourne) using the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) model to study sexual differentiation and limb development. Bats also offer a unique system to study the genetic mechanisms that diversify organogenesis. We have collaborated with John Rasweiler to establish the molecular embryology of the fruit bat, Carollia perspicillata. Our wallaby and bat studies are supported by field collections on Kangaroo Island, Australia and the island of Trinidad, respectively. In addition, we have a frozen archive of fibroblasts from >250 mammalian species previously collected by Drs. Tao-Chiuh (T.C.) Hsu and Sen Pathak. This "cryo zoo" serves as a rich source of genetic and cellular information.
A complete list of Dr. Behringer's publications. Follow Dr. Behringer on Twitter: @rrbehringer Visit Dr. Behringer's Lab Website.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1986 | University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, PHD, Biology |
Postgraduate Training
| 1989-1990 | Postgraduate Training, University of Washington, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle |
| 1986-1989 | Postgraduate Training, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Professor, Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, 2008 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2019 | D. Dudley and Judy White Oldham Faculty Award, GSBS |
| 2016 | Paul E. Darlington Mentor Award |
| 2013 | Paul E. Darlington Mentor Award |
| 2011 | Pioneer in Reproduction Research Leadership Award, Frontiers in Reproduction Program, Marine Biological Laboratory |
| 2006 | Research Trust Fellow, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2003 | Faculty Achievement Award in Education, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2001 | Educator of the Month, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 1997 | Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Research, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Camacho J, Moon R, Smith SK, Lin JD, Randolph C, Rasweiler JJ, Behringer RR, Abzhanov A. Differential cellular proliferation underlies heterochronic generation of cranial diversity in phyllostomid bats. Evodevo 11:11, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32514331.
- Mullen RD, Ontiveros AE, Moses MM, Behringer RR. AMH and AMHR2 mutations: A spectrum of reproductive phenotypes across vertebrate species. Dev Biol 455(1):1-9, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31301298.
- Moses MM, Behringer RR. A gene regulatory network for Müllerian duct regression. Environ Epigenet 5(3):dvz017, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31579527.
- Lopez EW, Vue Z, Broaddus RR, Behringer RR, Gladden AB. The ERM family member Merlin is required for endometrial gland morphogenesis. Dev Biol 2:301-314, 2018. PMID: 30118662.
- Mullen RD, Wang Y, Liu B, Moore EL, Behringer RR. Osterix functions downstream of anti-Müllerian hormone signaling to regulate Müllerian duct regression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115(33):8382-8387, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30061417.
- SonoT, Akiyama H, Miura S, Deng JM, Shukunami C, Hiraki Y, Tsushima Y, Azuma Y, Behringer RR, Matsuda S. THRAP3 interacts with and inhibits the transcriptional activity of SOX9 during chondrogenesis. J Bone Miner Metab 36(4):410-419, 2018. PMID: 28770354.
- Vue Z, Gonzalez G, Stewart CA, Mehra S, Behringer RR. Volumetric imaging of the developing prepubertal mouse uterine epithelium using light sheet microscopy. Mol Reprod Dev 85(5):397-405, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29543367.
- Burton JC, Wang S, Stewart CA, Behringer RR, Larina IV. High-resolution three-dimensional in vivo imaging of mouse oviduct using optical coherence tomography. Biomed Opt Express 6(7):2713-2723, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26203393.
- Yen ST, Zhang M, Deng JM, Usman SJ, Smith CN, Parker-Thornburg J, Swinton PG, Martin JF, Behringer RR. Somatic mosaicism and allele complexity induced by CRISPR/Cas9 RNA injections in mouse zygotes. Dev Biol 393(1):3-9, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24984260.
- Nolte MJ, Wang Y, Deng JM, Swinton PG, Wei C, Guindani M, Schwartz RJ, Behringer RR. Functional analysis of limb transcriptional enhancers in the mouse. Evol Dev 16(4):207-23, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24920384.
- Huang CC, Orvis GD, Kwan KM, Behringer RR. Lhx1 is required in Müllerian duct epithelium for uterine development. Dev Biol 389(2):124-36, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24560999.
- Furushima K, Jang CW, Chen DW, Xiao N, Overbeek PA, Behringer RR. Insertional Mutagenesis by a Hybrid piggyBac and Sleeping Beauty Transposon in the Rat. Genetics 192(4):1235-48, 2012. PMID: 23023007.
- Stewart MD, Deng JM, Stewart CA, Mullen RD, Wang Y, Lopez S, Serna MK, Huang CC, Janovick JA, Pask AJ, Schwartz RJ, Conn PM, Behringer RR. Mice Harboring Gnrhr E90K, a Mutation that Causes Protein Misfolding and Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism in Humans, Exhibit Testis Size Reduction and Ovulation Failure. Mol Endocrinol 26(11):1847-56, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22918878.
- Huang CC, Orvis GD, Wang Y, Behringer RR. Stromal-to-epithelial transition during postpartum endometrial regeneration. PLoS One 7(8):e44285, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22970108.
- Gonzalez G, Park S, Chen D, Armitage S, Shpall E, Behringer R. Identification and frequency of CCR5Δ32/Δ32 HIV-resistant cord blood units from Houston area hospitals. HIV Med 12(8):481-6, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21375684.
- Kobayashi A, Stewart CA, Wang Y, Fujioka K, Thomas NC, Jamin SP, Behringer RR. ß-Catenin is essential for Müllerian duct regression during male sexual differentiation. Development 138(10):1967-75, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21490063.
- Deng JM, Satoh K, Wang H, Chang H, Zhang Z, Stewart MD, Cooney AJ, Behringer RR. Generation of viable male and female mice from two fathers. Biol Reprod 84(3):613-8, 2011. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 21148107.
- Nel-Themaat L, Jang CW, Stewart MD, Akiyama H, Viger RS, Behringer RR. Sertoli cell behaviors in developing testis cords and postnatal seminiferous tubules of the mouse. Biol Reprod 84(2):342-50, 2011. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20944081.
- Nolte MJ, Hockman D, Cretekos CJ, Behringer RR, Rasweiler JJ. Embryonic staging system for the Black Mastiff Bat, Molossus rufus (Molossidae), correlated with structure-function relationships in the adult. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 292(2):155-68, spc 1, 2009. PMID: 19089888.
- Cheon DJ, Wang Y, Deng JM, Lu Z, Xiao L, Chen CM, Bast RC, Behringer RR. CA125/Muc16 is dispensable for mouse development and reproduction. PLoS One 4(3):e4675, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19262696.
- Orvis GD, Jamin SP, Kwan KM, Mishina Y, Kaartinen VM, Huang S, Roberts AB, Umans L, Huylebroeck D, Zwijsen A, Wang D, Martin JF, Behringer RR. Functional redundancy of TGF-beta family type I receptors and receptor-Smads in mediating anti-Mullerian hormone-induced Mullerian duct regression in the mouse. Biol Reprod 78(6):994-1001, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18322278.
- Chang H, Gao F, Guillou F, Taketo MM, Huff V, Behringer RR. Wt1 negatively regulates beta-catenin signaling during testis development. Development 135(1875-1885):1875-85, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18403409.
- Pask AJ, Behringer RR, Renfree MB. Resurrection of DNA function in vivo from an extinct genome. PLoS One 3(5):e2240, 2008. PMID: 18493600.
- Cretekos CJ, Wang Y, Green ED, Martin JF, Rasweiler JJ, Behringer RR. Regulatory divergence modifies limb length between mammals. Genes Dev 22(2):141-51, 2008. PMID: 18198333.
- Jamin SP, Arango NA, Mishina Y, Hanks MC, Behringer RR. Requirement of BMPR-1A for Mullerian duct regression during male sexual development. Nat Genet 32(3):408-410, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12368913.
- Arango NA, Lovell-Badge R, Behringer RR. Targeted mutagenesis of the endogenous mouse Mullerian inhibiting substance gene promoter, In vivo definition of genetic pathways of vertebrate sexual development. Cell 99(4):409-419, 1999. PMID: 10571183.
- Liu P, Wakamiya M, Shea MJ, Albrecht U, Behringer RR, Bradley A. Requirement for Wnt3 in vertebrate axis formation. Nat Genet 22(4):361-5, 1999. PMID: 10431240.
- Li Y, Behringer RR. Esx1 is an X-chromosome-imprinted regulator of placental development and fetal growth. Nat Genet 20(3):309-311, 1998. PMID: 9806555.
- Mishina Y, Suzuki A, Ueno N, Behringer RR. Bmpr encodes a type I bone morphogenetic protein receptor that is essential for gastrulation during mouse embryogenesis. Genes Dev 9(24):3027-3037, 1995. PMID: 8543149.
- Shawlot W, Behringer RR. Requirement for Lim1 in head-organizer function. Nature 374(6521):425-430, 1995. PMID: 7700351.
- Chen ZF, Behringer RR. Twist is required in head mesenchyme for cranial neural tube morphogenesis. Genes Dev 9(6):686-699, 1995. PMID: 7729687.
Book Chapters
- Vue, Z, Mullen, RD, Yen, ST, Ontiveros, AE, Stewart, CA, Behringer, RR. Fetal and postnatal female tract development. In: Encyclopedia of Reproduction, 261-268, 2018.