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SUMMARY:A molecular genetic perspective on speech and language - Simon Fis
 her (Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics\, Nijmegen)
DTSTART:20161117T170000Z
DTEND:20161117T180000Z
UID:TALK68850@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Guy Edward Toh Emerson
DESCRIPTION:The rise of molecular technologies has yielded exciting new ro
 utes for studying the biological foundations of language. In particular\, 
 researchers have begun to identify genes implicated in neurodevelopmental 
 disorders that disrupt speech and language skills. My talk will illustrate
  how such work can provide powerful entry points into critical neural path
 ways\, using FOXP2 as an example. Rare mutations of this gene cause proble
 ms with learning to sequence mouth movements during speech\, accompanied b
 y wide-ranging deficits in language production and comprehension. FOXP2 en
 codes a regulatory protein\, a hub in a network of other genes\, several o
 f which have also been associated with language-related impairments. Versi
 ons of FOXP2 are found in similar form in many vertebrate species\; indeed
 \, studies of animals and birds suggest it has conserved roles in the deve
 lopment and plasticity of certain sets of neural circuits. Thus\, the cont
 ributions of this gene to human speech and language involve modifications 
 of evolutionarily ancient functions. Searches for additional language-rela
 ted genes are underway\, taking advantage of dramatic advances in genomic 
 methods. Overall\, the FOXP2 story illustrates the value of an interdiscip
 linary approach for unravelling the complicated connections between genes\
 , neurons\, brain circuits and language.\n\nYou can register for the sympo
 sium here:\nhttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cambridge-language-sciences-sym
 posium-2016-tickets-28454750926
LOCATION:Queen's Building\, Emmanuel College
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