This is a unique scientific paradigm: the first publication determining the role of human - specific gene
duplications during brain development came out of our laboratory recently (Charrier et al., 2012) and represents a milestone in our understanding of the genetic and neurobiological mechanisms underlying the emergence of human - specific traits of brain development, for example neoteny during synaptic maturation (Benavides - Piccione et al., 2002; Petanjek et al., 2011).
We are currently using this new paradigm to define the expression and function of other hominoid - and human - specific gene
duplications during brain development and evolution.
Not exact matches
I was fascinated to read how the double
duplication of the SRGAP2 gene, which helps drive
development of the
brain's neocortex, appears to have propelled our ancestors»
development at two distinct times
during the past few million years (12 May, p 10).