THE EVOLVING BRAIN LABORATORY
Our mission is to embrace the diversity of mammalian brain architecture at all levels of analysis and to use knowledge garnered from this to help us understand the emergence of the human brain and ariation in brain function and disease liability.
MORPHOLOGY.BEHAVIOR.EVOLUTION​
​RESEARCH​
CURRENT PROJECTS
The Domesticated Brain: Interspecific cortical variation in wild and domestic Carnivora and Euungulata
The study of domestic species serves as a fertile testing ground to evaluate the neurobiological effect of strong artificial selection on the mammalian brain. Using a phylogenetically informed approach, this project combines imaging, molecular and histological approaches to look at species specific variation in the brains of domestic and wild type Carnivora and Euungulata. Central to these investigations are two broad projects: 1) Comparative 3D structural anatomy and allometry of cortical and subcortical structures; 2) Comparative histology, genetics and immunohistochemistry of cortical and subcortical structures. Our primary collaborators on this project include several researchers from across the globe including: Drs. Patrick Hof (Icahn School of Medicine, Mt. Sinai), Paul Manger (University of Witwatersrand), James Sacco (Drake University), Chet Sherwood (George Washington University), Mary Ann Raghanti (Kent State University), Clare Rusbridge (University of Surrey) and Rogier Mars (University of Oxford). This work has been funded in part by grants from the Carnegie Foundation, Des Moines University, Iowa Science Foundation and the Verizon Foundation. For representative publications emerging from this work see our Publications page​​​
​Comparative anatomy of the primate brain: Reconstructing the evolutionary history of homologous brain structures implicated in human speech, language and cognition
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Despite the remarkable genetic similarities between humans and chimpanzees, human speech, language and cognitive capabilities far surpass that of our closest living relatives. By exploring the comparative 3D volumetrics and histology of homologous cortical areas across primates, this project aims to provide insight into the timing, mechanism and underlying neuroanatomical framework supporting the emergence of distinct human behaviors. This work involves the use of cytoarchitectural mapping and image analysis techniques such as 3D segmentation and machine learning applied to histological and MRI data. Central to these investigations are two broad projects: 1) 3D volumetric comparisons of Broca's and Wernicke's area homologs in chimpanzees and humans; 2) Histological studies aimed at quantifying interspecific differences in cytoarchitecture of homologous cortical structures, particularly the neuropil, an important component of the cortical column. This collaborative work includes the expertise of Dr. Bill Hopkins (University of Texas, MD Cancer Center) and Dr. Chet Sherwood (George Washington University) and is funded in part by grants from Des Moines University (IOER-R&G), Kemin Industries and the Iowa Science Foundation. For representative publications emerging from this work see our Publications page
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© 2011 by Evolving Brain Laboratory (EBL)