Department of Biology Seminar: Debra Silver

Description

Debra Silver, a professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Neurobiology at Duke Universty, will give a talk titled "Building Our Brains: From RNA to Evolution" for the Department of Biology.

Bob Johnston will host.

Abstract:

The cerebral cortex controls our higher cognitive capacities and helps define us as humans. Cortical development is orchestrated by neural progenitors which give rise to neurons and glia. Aberrant cortical development can result in devastating neurodevelopmental diseases. Our lab aims to elucidate genetic and cellular mechanisms controlling cortical development and contributing to neurodevelopmental pathologies and brain evolution. This talk will highlight some of our recent discoveries including that subcellular compartmentalization of RNA within neural progenitors influences their morphology and function. It will also highlight new findings that examine the genetic basis for human brain development.