Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...

Human Genetics

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...

Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs

Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs

Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Human-specific evolutionary genetic loss of addition of a single oxygen atom from sialic acids increases hydrophobicity of cells and proteins [Carbohydr. Res. (552), June 2025, 109469].

Carbohydrate research·2026

Same author

Origins and Evolution of Essentials of Glycobiology.

Glycobiology·2025

Same author

Advancing Chemoenzymatic Synthesis and Covalent Immobilization of a Comprehensive Ganglio-glycosphingolipid Library Enables Functional Multiplex Bead Assays.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2025

Same author

Disrupting Siglec-mediated interactions to develop immunotherapies for cancer treatment.

Expert opinion on therapeutic targets·2025

Same author

Loss of sialic acid side-chain <i>O</i>-acetylation exacerbates colitis.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Same author

Discovery and characterization of vertebrate sialoglycan-binding proteins.

Seminars in immunology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

Explaining human uniqueness: genome interactions with environment, behaviour and culture.

Ajit Varki¹, Daniel H Geschwind, Evan E Eichler

¹Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA. a1varki@ucsd.edu

Nature Reviews. Genetics

|September 20, 2008

Summary

Human uniqueness stems from our increasing dependence on learned behaviors and culture, a transdisciplinary perspective integrating genomics, gene expression, and organ systems. This evolutionary trend may have influenced genomic diversity thresholds.

More Related Videos

Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay (DAPA)

Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay (DAPA)

Published on: August 21, 2016

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Published on: July 12, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay (DAPA)

Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay (DAPA)

Published on: August 21, 2016

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Published on: July 12, 2012

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Genetics
Anthropology

Background:

Understanding human origins requires integrating diverse scientific disciplines.
Previous studies often created a false dichotomy between genetics and environment.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the origins of human uniqueness through a transdisciplinary lens.
To investigate the interplay between genomic variation, gene expression, and environmental factors in human evolution.

Main Methods:

Genomic and genetic analysis of molecular variation.
Systems analysis of gene expression.
Organ-systems approach to human biology.

Main Results:

Human evolution is characterized by a growing reliance on learned behaviors and culture.
Genome-environment interactions play a crucial role in shaping human traits.
This dependence may have altered the allowable thresholds for genomic diversity.

Conclusions:

Human uniqueness arises from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and cultural factors.
A transdisciplinary approach is essential for fully understanding anthropogeny.
Evolutionary pressures may have favored increased cultural dependence over extensive genomic diversification.