Dual Gene Role in Brain Progenitor Cell Dynamics

Scientists have uncovered a crucial genetic mechanism that plays a key role in the development and evolution of the human brain. A recent study reveals that two genes work in a precisely coordinated manner: one gene promotes the proliferation of brain progenitor cells, while the other facilitates the conversion of these cells into a different type of progenitor cell, which eventually gives rise to the brain's nerve cells.

This interaction has contributed to the distinctive size and complexity of the human brain throughout evolution.

The newly acquired knowledge not only enhances the understanding of the evolutionary progression of the brain but may also aid in elucidating the origins of certain developmental disorders or brain diseases.

Our findings deepen the fundamental understanding of brain development and provide new insights into the evolutionary origins of our large brain. In the long term, they could contribute to the development of therapeutic approaches for malformations of the brain.”

Nesil Eşiyok, Study Primary Author, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research

The research employed a combination of various methodologies: alongside experiments conducted on mice, alternative approaches such as chimpanzee brain organoids were utilized.

The remarkable feature of our study is that the results from animal experiments and alternative methods complement each other well and mutually confirm their findings. This not only emphasizes the high significance of our results but could also help to reduce the need for animal experiments in the future by further developing, refining, and confirming alternative methods.”

Michael Heide, Study Principal Investigator, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research