[return to list] 
John  C.  Herr
Degree(s): Ph.D.
Graduate School: University of Iowa
Primary Appointment: Professor of Cell Biology
Research Interests:
Cancer-testis antigens in lung, head and neck, and melanoma tumors; Pre-positioning of RNAs and RNA binding proteins in the mammalian oocyte and early embryo; Autoimmunity to sperm antigens following vasectomy.

Email Address: jch7k@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
  • Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Medicine
    • Research Description

    Dr. Herr is a reproductive and developmental cell biologist. His research focuses on the genes and proteins that are expressed specifically in the sperm and in the egg. His laboratory studies sperm proteins involved in motility, capacitation, fertilization, and egg proteins involved in early embryogenesis, particularly RNA binding proteins involved in pre-patterning. His laboratory studies not only the fundamental process of gamete development and fertilization but also applies the knowledge to practical applications. One interest is to identify tumors that revert to the gametogenic pathway and to define biomarkers of use in cancer diagnosis and drug therapy. Another aim is to identify targets for contraceptive vaccines and small molecule antagonists. Patented inventions from Dr. Herr include: 1) A new spermicide based on antibodies to the human sperm surface; 2) A contraceptive vaccine for women comprised of proteins from the sperm membranes; 3) SpermCheck®, the home test for determining male fertility; 4) SpermPaints®, a test for semen developed for the National Institute of Justice to use in sexual assault cases; and 5)the squamous cell carcinoma tumor marker, CABYR.

    Selected Publications
  • John C. Herr, Olga Chertihin, Laura Digilio, Kula Nand Jha, Soumya Vemuganti, and Charles J. Flickinger 2008 Distribution of RNA Binding Protein MOEP19 in the Oocyte Cortex and Early Embryo Indicates Pre-patterning Related to Blastomere Polarity and Trophectoderm Secification. Dev. Biol. [in press]
  • Kula N. Jha, Ana M. Salicioni, Enid Arcelay, Olga Chertihin, Sangeeta Kumari, John C. Herr and Pablo E. Visconti 2007 Evidence for the involvement of proline-directed serine/threonine phosphorylation in sperm capacitation. Molecular Human Reproduction 12(12):781-789.
  • Jagathpala Shetty, Kenneth L. Klotz, Michael J. Wolkowicz, Charles J. Flickinger and John C. Herr 2007 Radial Spoke Protein 44 (Human Meichroacidin) is an Axonemal Alloantigen of Sperm and Cilia. Gene 396:93-107.
  • Young-Hwan Kim, Gerhard Haidl, Ursula Egner and John C. Herr Compartmentalization of Glycolytic Enzymes and a Unique ADP/ATP Carrier Protein AAC4 (Sperm Flagellar Energy Carrier, SFEC) in the Fibrous Sheath of the Sperm Flagellar Principal Piece. 2007 Dev Biol. 302(2): 463-476.
  • PubMed Listings for this Faculty Member
    • Intranet Profile
    [To add/update Intranet profile information, read these instructions.]
    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 800732, Jordan Hall, 2-27, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-924-2007
      Fax Phone: +1 434-982-3912
      Home Phone: +1 434-971-7185

    Other Websites for this mentor:
    http://www.med.virginia.edu/medicine/basic-sci/cellbio/jch.htm

    (Find Out How to Update Your Faculty Profile)