Neotenous Gene Expression in the Developing Human Brain

Human evolution has resulted in a species that possesses an apparently unique set of phenotypic capabilities. In our laboratory, we search for molecular features specific to humans, through integrative analysis of genetic, transcriptomic and metabolomic data measured in modern and archaic humans, as well as closely related mammalian species: chimpanzees, macaques and mice. Following this approach, we have identified human-specific delay in timing of neocortical synaptogenesis as one of molecular mechanisms that potentially underlie the evolution of the human phenotype.