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Big Brained Apes
20 June 2018

Big Brained Apes

Probably the biggest difference between humans and our primate cousins is the size of our brains. The human neocortex is about three times larger than that of a chimp, and now researchers have identified three new genes that might explain why. The three genes are actually newly evolved versions of another gene, NOTCH2, which primates share. NOTCH2 is known to regulate the production of brain cells during development, so it’s believed the newly-identified human-specific versions – NOTCH2NLA, NOTCH2NLB and NOTCH2NLC – may have simply ramped up this production pathway, creating more brain cells. Aside from analysing the genomes of humans and primates, the researchers found these genes by searching for DNA sequences expressed in human but not primate cerebral organoids – cultured embryonic brain-like structures (pictured). The identification of the three NOTCH2NL genes not only provides insight into how our giant brains evolved, but may also shed light on certain brain development disorders.

Written by Ruth Williams

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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