Researchers map genetic ‘switches’ behind human brain evolution

In this study, scientists mapped regulatory regions in human neurogenesis. I'll be honest, I don't entirely understand what is going on in this paper, but it seems they are looking at chromatin accessibility to determine which genomic regions are active during neurogenesis.

The researchers say one of their most significant findings is a human-specific FGFR2 enhancer which plays a function in human cortical expansion. In addition, by understanding the pathways that are present in neurogensis, this can help us understand which diseases occur when one of these pathways is disrupted.

The press release gives a succinct summary:
https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-map-genetic-switches-behind-human-brain-evolution

The paper:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867417314940


Zac Truesdell, potluck, 3/3/2020