Displaying 1 - 15 of 15
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Anijs, M., Rodenas-Cuadrado, P., & Vernes, S. C. (2016). Investigating the shared functions of language-related genes using human neurons. Poster presented at the Language in Interaction Summerschool on Human Language: From Genes and Brains to Behavior, Berg en Dal, The Netherlands.
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Devanna, P., Chen, X. S., Ho, J., Gajewski, D., Fisher, S. E., Newbury, D., & Vernes, S. C. (2016). Deciphering the 3'UTRome: identification and functional characterization of non-coding variants causing neurodevelopmental disorders. Poster presented at the 7th EMBO Meeting, Mannheim, Germany.
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Devanna, P., Chen, X. S., Ho, J., Gajewski, D., Newbury, D., Gilissen, C., Fisher, S. E., & Vernes, S. C. (2016). Digging deeper in next generation sequencing data: Identification of functional non-coding variants that contribute to neurological disorders (an SLI case study). Poster presented at the Language in Interaction Summerschool on Human Language: From Genes and Brains to Behavior, Berg en Dal, The Netherlands.
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Lattenkamp, E. Z., Kendrick, K. H., Vernes, S. C., & Wiegrebe, L. (2016). Vocal plasticity in phyllostomus discolor. Poster presented at the 46th annual symposium on bat research of the North American Society for Bat Research (NASBR), San Antonio, TX, USA.
Abstract
Bats have a sophisticated audio-vocal system that allows them t
o orientate in the dark, acoustically
discriminate prey and surface structures, and identify conspeci
fics. To date, research into this area has
largely focused on bat echoloca
tion. However, their highly soci
al nature and complex communication calls
make them a well-suited animal model for studying vocal communi
cation: several bat species have been
found to have extensive call repertoires and to exhibit a rich
palette of acoustic social interactions.
Sophisticated song and syllable formation, the ability for voca
l learning, and complex social interactions
such as turn-taking (antiphonal vocalizations) have all been ob
served. Given the importance of vocal
learning in humans for spoken language and turn-taking for ling
uistic interactions, we are investigating
these abilities in the lesser spear-nosed bat
Phyllostomus discolor.
To assess turn-taking behavior we are
evaluating vocal interactions between groups of animals in audi
o/video recordings. To verify vocal
learning, and specifically production learning, we have develop
ed a multistage training plan, in which adult
San Antonio, Texas
44 | P a g e
bats will be trained via an ultrasonic intercom to adjust their
calls according to electronically transmitted
calls of conspecifics. Adult bats will be trained with food rew
ard to adjust the spectral and/or temporal
parameters of their calls to match playbacks of modified conspe
cific calls (assessed via spectro-temporal
analyses before and after the training period). These studies w
ill demonstrate fundamental aspects of vocal
communicative behaviour in
Phyllostomus discolor
, including behaviors that may ultimately be relevant
for our understanding of the evol
ution of spoken language in hu
mans. -
Lattenkamp, E. Z., Vernes, S. C., & Wiebrebe, L. (2016). Vocal Production Learning in adult Phyllostomus discolor. Poster presented at the joint graduate meeting of the animal behaviour section of the German zoological society (DZG) and the ethological society, Gülpe, Germany.
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Lattenkamp, E. Z., Vernes, S. C., & Wiegrebe, L. (2016). Vocal production learning in adult Phyllostomus discolor. Talk presented at the mini bat meeting. Seewiesen, Germany. 2016-06-30 - 2016-07-02.
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Lattenkamp, E. Z., Vernes, S. C., & Wiegrebe, L. (2016). Vocal Production Learning in adult Phyllostomus discolor. Poster presented at the 3rd Centre for BioRobotics Workshop, Odense, Denmark.
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Rodenas-Cuadrado, P., Mengede, J., Yartsev, M., Firzlaff, U., & Vernes, S. C. (2016). Understanding language genetics: Establishing bats as a mammalian model of vocal learning. Poster presented at the 46th Annual meeting of the Society of Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Vernes, S. C. (2016). Neurogenetic insights into speech and language: From birds and bats (Minisymposium). Talk presented at Neuroscience 2016: Society for the Neuroscience's 46th annual meeting. San Diego, CA, USA. 2016-11-12 - 2016-11-16.
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Vernes, S. C. (2016). Neuromolecular approaches to language. Talk presented at the Language in Interaction Summerschool on Human Language: From Genes and Brains to Behavior. Berg en Dal, The Netherlands. 2016-07-03 - 2016-07-14.
Abstract
The capacity for speech and language is a fundamental trait of humankind, but its genetic encoding is poorly understood. I will present a range of diverse but complementary approaches to study the genetic underpinnings of speech and language including; clinical studies that investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying speech and language disorders; neuromolecular studies that demonstrate how such genes influence neuronal development and function; and work in animal models linking gene function to behaviours relevant for speech and language -
Vernes, S. C. (2016). The genetic basis of vocal learning: What can we learn from bat genomes. Talk presented at the Annual meeting of the society for Neuroscience. San Diego, CA, USA. 2016-11-12 - 2016-11-16.
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Vernes, S. C. (2016). Understanding speech and language: From genes to bats and beyond. Talk presented at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Course on Genetics & Neurobiology of Language. Cold Springs Harbour, USA. 2016-07-25 - 2016-07-31.
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Vernes, S. C. (2016). Understanding speech and language: From genes to bats and beyond. Talk presented at the invited seminar series at Leiden University. Leiden, The Netherlands. 2016-05-11.
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Vernes, S. C. (2016). Understanding speech and language: From genes to bats and beyond. Talk presented at the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL). Leiden, The Netherlands. 2016.
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Vernes, S. C. (2016). Understanding speech and language: From genes to bats and beyond. Talk presented at the NeuroBat Lab. UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA. 2016.
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