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Targeted Microinjection and Electroporation of Primate Cerebral Organoids for Genetic Modification
Published on: March 24, 2023
Evolutionary specializations in primate cortical development
Jiamiao Yuan1, Xuerui Zeng1, Jichao Yin2
1National Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Model, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, P.R. China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Integrative Anthropology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Primates exhibit distinctive cognitive and behavioral repertoires relative to many other mammals. These capabilities are not associated with the emergence of entirely new cortical structures, but rather with coordinated evolutionary modifications within the cerebral cortex. To elucidate the complexity of these processes, this review adopts an analytical framework that progresses from macroscopic to microscopic levels and from structural changes to underlying mechanisms. We synthesize recent advances with a particular focus on multilevel features revealed by emerging technologies such as single-cell multi-omics and mesoscale brain mapping. Together, these findings provide insights into the evolutionary processes shaping primate cortical organization and establish a conceptual foundation for understanding the genetic and cellular bases of human brain disorders.
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