Northwestern biology professor publishes article

Dr. Tyrone Genade, assistant professor of biology at Northwestern College, recently published an article in Bioscene: Journal of College Biology Teaching.  

In his article, “The Use of Kryptolebias marmoratus Eggs as an Educational Tool for Embryology Education,” Genade explains how a certain type of fish egg is a more humane and practical teaching tool for students learning about embryological development.

“Chick embryos are often used to demonstrate embryological development and blood circulation to students, but this necessitates the death of the organism,” says Genade. “Kryptolebias marmoratus embryos are large and can be viewed by means of a light microscope without need to harm the organism.” The eggs are also easy to obtain from captive fish, easy to display to students, and some of the same features of human development are readily visible within the eggs, including early brain and eye development, limb buds, blood circulation and pigment cell migration.

“Use of the embryos in a classroom has proven rewarding, students marvel at observing embryological development, and they are more eager to consider the common embryology and evolution of chordates,” says Genade.

Bioscene is a peer-reviewed journal published by the Association of College and University Biology Educators.

Before joining Northwestern’s faculty in 2013, Genade was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Cape Town, where he conducted research in neuroscience in addition to teaching medical students. It was during this experience that he realized the need for a new embryology teaching tool.

Genade earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in science from the University of Stellenbosch and a doctorate from the University of Cape Town.