Sonja Vernes

Presentations

Displaying 1 - 80 of 80
  • Hoeksema, N., Hagoort, P., & Vernes, S. C. (2023). Building a brain capable of learned vocalizations: Evidence from the pale spear-nosed bat. Talk presented at Protolang 8. Rome, Italy. 2023-09-27 - 2023-09-28.
  • Hoeksema, N., Hagoort, P., & Vernes, S. C. (2023). Bat brains as a window into the neurobiology of spoken language. Poster presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neurobiology of Language (SNL 2023), Marseille, France.
  • Hoeksema, N., Hagoort, P., & Vernes, S. C. (2022). Piecing together the building blocks of the vocal learning bat brain. Poster presented at the Joint Conference on Language Evolution (JCoLE), Kanazawa, Japan.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2022). Inside the bat cave - Studying bats to understand speech and language [plenary talk]. Talk presented at the Animal Bioacoustics and Human Speech Symposium. Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 2022-06-08.
  • Lattenkamp, E. Z., Vernes, S. C., & Wiegrebe, L. (2019). Vocal complexity of the pale spear-nosed bat, Phyllostomus discolor. Talk presented at the 27th International Bioacoustics Congress (IBAC 2019). Brighton, UK. 2019-08-31 - 2019-09-05.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2019). The Bat1K Project: Bat genomes, biology, and implications. Talk presented at the PacBio workshop: Sequence with Confidence – How SMRT Sequencing is Accelerating Plant and Animal Genomics. San Diego, CA, USA. 2019-01-12 - 2019-01-16.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2019). The Bat1K Project: Bat genomes, biology, and implications [academic speaker]. Talk presented at the Revolutionizing Next-Generation Sequencing (3rd edition). Antwerp, Belgium. 2019-03-25.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2019). The Bat1K Project: Bat genomes, biology, and implications [keynote]. Talk presented at the Nordic Long-Read Sequencing Meeting. Uppsala, Sweden. 2019-04-03.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2019). Studying bats to shed light on speech and language. Talk presented at the 2019 Oxford Autumn School in Neuroscience. Oxford, UK. 2019-09-26 - 2019-09-27.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2019). Studying bats to shed light on speech and language [keynote]. Talk presented at the 2nd International Workshop on Vocal Interactivity in-and-between Humans, Animals and Robots (VIHAR 2019). London, UK. 2019-08-29 - 2019-08-30.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2019). Vocal learning in bats: From genes to behaviour. Talk presented at Language and Music in Cognition: Integrated Approaches to Cognitive Systems (Spring School 2019). Cologne, Germany. 2019-02-02 - 2019-02-08.
  • Lattenkamp, E. Z., Vernes, S. C., & Wiegrebe, L. (2018). Are adult bats capable of vocal imitation?. Poster presented at the 4th Queensland Brain Institute & Munich Center for Neuroscience symposium, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Lattenkamp, E. Z., Vernes, S. C., & Wiegrebe, L. (2018). Are adult bats capable of vocal imitation?. Poster presented at the International Congress of Neuroethology, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Lattenkamp, E. Z., Vernes, S. C., & Wiegrebe, L. (2018). Mammalian models for the study of vocal learning: A new paradigm in bats. Talk presented at the 12th International Conference on the Evolution of Language: (EVOLANG XII). Torun, Poland. 2018-04-15 - 2018-04-19.
  • Lattenkamp, E. Z., Vernes, S. C., & Wiegrebe, L. (2018). Vocal production learning through imitation of frequency-shifted sounds by bats?. Poster presented at the German Bat Researcher Meeting, Berlin, Germany.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). Babbling bats and spoken language: A neurogenetic approach. Talk presented at the DEC Colloquium at Laboratoire de Sciences Cognitives et Psycholinguistique (LSCP). Paris, France. 2018-02-13.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). Bat1K genomes project. Talk presented at the Genome10K Annual Meeting. New York, NY, USA. 2018-09-12 - 2018-09-14.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). Bats as a model: What neurogenetic tools do we need?. Talk presented at Bats: A New Model for Healthy Aging, CSHL meeting. New York, NY, USA. 2018-03-11 - 2018-03-14.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). Comparative genomics. Talk presented at the Genome10K Annual Meeting. New York, NY, USA. 2018-09-12 - 2018-09-14.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). The Bat1k project: Bat genomes, biology and implications [keynote]. Talk presented at the SMRT Scientific Symposium. Leiden, The Netherlands. 2018-06-12.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). Studying genes, brains, and bats to understand speech and language. Talk presented at a Neuroscience Colloquium, organised by NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence. Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany. 2018-12-06.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). Studying language, a unique human trait, in animal models. Talk presented at the Fens-Kavli Network of Excellence/Kavli Institute for Brain & Mind joint symposium. 2018.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). Vocal learning bats: A new path towards understanding the neurogenetics of language. Talk presented at the 22nd Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience. Nara, Japan. 2018-05-22 - 2018-05-25.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). Vocal learning in bats: From genes to behaviour. Talk presented at the 12th International Conference on the Evolution of Language: (EVOLANG XII). Torun, Poland. 2018-04-15 - 2018-04-19.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). Vocal learning in bats: From genes to behaviour. Talk presented at Deutsches Treffen für Fledermausforschung (Meeting of German Bat Researchers). Heidesee, Germany. 2018-01-12 - 2018-01-14.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2018). Vocal learning in bats: Genomes to behaviour. Talk presented at the University College Dublin (UCD). Dublin, Ireland. 2018.
  • Lattenkamp, E. Z., Vernes, S. C., & Wiebrebe, L. (2017). Vocal Production Learning in adult Phyllostomus discolor. Poster presented at the German Bat Researcher Meeting, Vallendar, Germany.
  • Lattenkamp, E. Z., Vernes, S. C., & Wiegrebe, L. (2017). Vocal production learning in Adult Phyllostomus discolor. Poster presented at the 5th International Berlin Bat Meeting: Are bats special?, Berlin, Germany.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2017). Model systems to understand language disorders: FOXP2 and beyond. Talk presented at the BNA (British Neuroscience Association) 2017: Festival of Neuroscience. Birmingham, UK. 2017-04-10 - 2017-04-13.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2017). Studying the neurogenetic bases of vocal learning in bats. Talk presented at the 5th International Berlin Bat Meeting: Are bats special? Berlin, Germany. 2017-02-24 - 2017-02-26.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2017). What bats have to say about speech and language. Talk presented at the Workshop Key Questions and New Methods in the Language Sciences. Berg en Dal, The Netherlands. 2017-06-14 - 2017-06-17.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2017). Understanding speech and language: From genes to bats and beyond. Talk presented at the Centre for Biological Diversity Seminar Series. St. Andrews, UK. 2017-01-31.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2017). Understanding the neurogenetics of spoken language: From vocal learning bats to humans. Talk presented at the 25th anniversary NVG meeting (Dutch Behavioural Society). Soesterberg, The Netherlands. 2017-11-29 - 2017-12-01.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2017). Understanding the neurogenetics of spoken language: From vocal learning bats to humans. Talk presented at Protolang 5. Barcelona, Spain. 2017-09-26 - 2017-09-28.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Devanna, P., Chen, X. S., Ho, J., Gajewski, D., Newbury, D., Gilissen, C., Fisher, S. E., & Vernes, S. C. (2015). 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 Donders Poster Session, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
  • Rodenas-Cuadrado, P., Chen, X. S., Wiegrebe, L., Firzlaff, F., & Vernes, S. C. (2015). A novel approach reveals first molecular networks in the bat brain: implications for vocal communication. Poster presented at the 45th Annual meeting of the Society of Neuroscience, Chicago, IL.
  • Rodenas-Cuadrado, P., Pietrafusa, N., Francavilla, T., La Neve, A., Striano, P., & Vernes, S. C. (2015). Deciphering the role of CNTNAP2 in cognitive disorders; from molecule to patient. Poster presented at the 45th Annual meeting of the Society of Neuroscience, Chicago, IL.
  • Rodenas-Cuadrado, P., Firzlaff, U., & Vernes, S. C. (2015). Mapping genes implicated in speech and language phenotypes in the bat brain. Poster presented at the 7th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neurobiology of Language, Chicago, IL.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2015). Bats as a genetic model for vocal communication. Talk presented at the NVG Meeting 2015 (Netherlands Society for Behavioural Biology). Soesterberg, the Netherlands. 2015-11-25 - 2015-11-27.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2015). Bats as a genetic model for vocal communication. Talk presented at the Annual meeting of the Netherlands Society for Behavioural Biology. Soesterberg, the Netherlands. 2015-11-25 - 2015-11-27.
  • Vernes, S. C., Rodenas-Cuadrado, P., Chen, X. S., Wiegrebe, L., & Firzlaff, U. (2015). A novel approach reveals first molecular networks in the bat brain: implications for vocal communication. Talk presented at the International Bioacoustics Conference. Murnau, Germany. 2015-09-06 - 2015-09-12.

    Abstract

    Bats are able to employ an astonishin- gly complex vocal repertoire for navigating their environment and conveying social information. A handful of species also show evidence for vocal learning, an extremely rare ability shared only with humans and few other animals. However, despite their obvious potential for the study of vocal communication, bats remain severely understudied at a molecular level. To address this fundamental gap we performed the first transcriptome profiling and genetic interrogation of molecular networks in the brain of a highly vo- cal bat species, P. discolor. To identify functional, biologically relevant gene networks, we utilized two contrasting co-expression network analysis methods with distinct underlying algorithms; WGCNA and MCLUST. These methods typically need large sample sizes for correct clustering, which can be prohibitive where samples are limited, such as in this study. To overcome this, we built on the WGCNA and MCLUST methods to develop a novel approach for identifying robust co-expression gene networks using few samples (≤6). Using this approach, we were able to ge- nerate tissue-specific functional gene networks from the bat PAG, a brain region fundamental for mammalian vocalization. The most highly connected of the networks identified in our study represented a cluster of genes involved in glu- tamatergic synaptic transmission. Glutamatergic signaling plays an essential role in vocalizations elicited from the PAG, suggesting that the gene network uncovered here is mechanistically impor - tant for vocal-motor control in mammals. These findings show that our innovative gene clustering approach can reveal robust biologically relevant gene co-expression networks with limited sample sizes. Moreover, this work reports the first gene network analysis performed in a bat brain and establishes P. discolor as a novel, tractable model system for understanding the genetics of vocal communication.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2015). Deciphering neurogenetic mechanisms of vocal communication. Talk presented at the German-Indian Symposium “Human Evolution towards Language”. Pune, India. 2015-01-15 - 2015-01-16.

    Abstract

    The unique capacity for language is a fundamental trait of humankind, and is of intense interest across diverse fields including linguistics, anthropology, cognitive and neuro-science, and molecular and evolutionary biology. Importantly, language is not an abstract entity, but has developed within a biological system with its own capacities and constraints. Thus, understanding the biology of language, including underlying genetic mechanisms, has the potential to inform some of the central questions in the language sciences such as what are the innate components of the human system that allow language acquisition and what are the biological constraints on this system that determine what constitutes a possible language. To date, the genetic underpinnings of language remain poorly understood as, with current techniques, the molecular mechanisms acting during communicative behavior cannot be directly assayed in humans. Non-human animals do not have language, but they do display complex vocal communicative abilities that share aspects of human vocal communication. For example some animals use antiphonal vocalizations in which vocal-motor outputs are adapted in response to conspecific vocalizations. Others display simple syntax in which sound types are combined in a specific order. A handful of animal species are able to perform vocal production learning, the ability to learn and modify vocalizations based on conspecific inputs – an ability essential for the evolution of spoken language. Thus we can use animal models to understand how these abilities are evolutionarily encoded in the brain and gain insights into the origins of spoken language. I will discuss the use of animal models to directly interrogate genetic networks acting in the brain during communicative behavior. I will also show how we can couple these animal models with cell based assays and in vitro molecular techniques to understand the function of these genes at a molecular, cellular and whole brain level. Ultimately we can apply these findings to human populations to determine how genetic variants relate to human speech and language phenotypes.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2015). Deciphering neurogenetic mechanisms of vocal communication. Talk presented at the symposium Human Evolution towards Language: From Genes to Behavior, organised by Leopoldina-INSA. Pune, India. 2015-01-15 - 2015-01-16.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2015). Decoding the genetics of speech, language and vocal communication. Talk presented at an invited colloquium series at the Utrecht Institute of Linguistics. Utrecht, the Netherlands. 2015-05-21.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2015). Genetics of Speech and Language disorders. Talk presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the Society of Neuropaediatrics. Basel, Switzerland. 2015-04-22 - 2015-04-26.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2015). Genetics of speech and language disorders. Talk presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuropediatrics. Basel, Switzerland. 2015-04-23 - 2015-04-26.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2015). Molecular networks in the bat brain: Implications for vocal communication. Talk presented at the International Bioacoustics Congress (IBAC). Murnau, Germany. 2015-09-11.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2015). Studying speech and language genetics in non-human models. Talk presented at the Utrecht Institute of Linguistics. Utrecht, The Netherlands. 2015.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2014). Language networks; from molecules to neuronal circuits. Talk presented at the 5th meeting of the European Society for Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Euro Evo-Devo). Vienna, Austria. 2014-07-22 - 2014-07-25.
  • Castells-Nobau, A., Fenckova, M., Van de Voet, M., De Gooyert, J., Kramer, J. M., Fisher, S. E., Vernes, S. C., & Schenck, A. (2013). Flying through a molecular window into the neurobiology of language and cognition. Poster presented at the CSHL Meeting on Neurobiology of Drosophila, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY.
  • Ho, J., Chen, S., Hoischen, A., Devanna, P., Francks, C., SLI Consortium, Veltman, J. A., Newbury, D. F., Fisher, S. E., & Vernes, S. C. (2013). A novel method for finding functional variants in whole exome sequencing reveals potential risk factors for specific language impairments. Poster presented at the Cognomics Symposium 2013, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Devanna, P., Martens, M., Becker, M., Rodenas-Cuadrado, P., Ho, J., & Vernes, S. C. (2013). FOXP2 and language related neural networks. Poster presented at the Wiring the Brain Meeting, Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbour, NY.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2013). FoxP2: A rare monogenic speech and language disorder. Talk presented at the Workshop Universality and variability: New insights from genetics. Linguistic Institute at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. 2013-06-29 - 2013-06-30.
  • Rodenas-Cuadrado, P., Devanna, P., Ho, J., & Vernes, S. C. (2012). Defining the molecular architecture of language networks. Poster presented at the 42nd annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience [Neuroscience 2012] Poster# 595.18/CCC9, New Orleans, LA.

    Abstract

    The ability to use language is a uniquely human trait involving one of the most complex and poorly understood biological processes. This is particularly true when considering the encoding of human language at the molecular level. Disorders of speech and language are highly heritable and widely prevalent in the general population. Approximately 7% of school age children display specific language impairment (SLI) and language deficiencies are known to feature in a range of common neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders. The first direct insights into the molecular basis of language were given by the identification of the FOXP2 gene. Mutations in this gene were shown to be causative of a rare speech and language disorder in a large pedigree. Since then, a number of FOXP2 disruptions in unrelated patients displaying a similar phenotype have been reported. However FOXP2 remains the only known monogenic cause of language disorder and little progress has been made via traditional genetic approaches to understanding the molecular basis of language and language impairment. Given that FOXP2 acts as a transcription factor to regulate target gene expression, we hypothesized that understanding the downstream regulatory pathways would give insight into the molecular basis of normal language development and language disorder. We have identified gene networks regulated by FOXP2 that have been implicated in language development and demonstrated that new candidates for involvement in common language disorders can be found by identifying genes that act in these pathways. Our recent findings modeling Foxp2 pathways in the brain, suggest that neuronal connectivity and circuit formation is disturbed in particular types of language disorder due to neurite outgrowth defects during development. We are currently studying how effects on this and other FOXP2 related pathways that we have identified (including Wnt signalling and non-coding RNA pathways) are involved in neural circuit formation and language development, and investigating genetic risk factors from these pathways in patients via genome based screening studies. This novel approach will help us to understand the fundamental neurodevelopmental basis of language and pinpoint genetic risk factors for language impairments.
  • Rodenas-Cuadrado, P., Devanna, P., Ho, J., & Vernes, S. C. (2012). Defining the molecular architecture of language networks. Poster presented at the Cognomics Symposium 2012, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

    Abstract

    The ability to use language is a uniquely human trait involving one of the most complex and poorly understood biological processes. This is particularly true when considering the encoding of human language at the molecular level. Disorders of speech and language are highly heritable and widely prevalent in the general population. Approximately 7% of school age children display specific language impairment (SLI) and language deficiencies are known to feature in a range of common neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders. The first direct insights into the molecular basis of language were given by the identification of the FOXP2 gene. Mutations in this gene were shown to be causative of a rare speech and language disorder in a large pedigree. Since then, a number of FOXP2 disruptions in unrelated patients displaying a similar phenotype have been reported. However FOXP2 remains the only known monogenic cause of language disorder and little progress has been made via traditional genetic approaches to understanding the molecular basis of language and language impairment. Given that FOXP2 acts as a transcription factor to regulate target gene expression, we hypothesized that understanding the downstream regulatory pathways would give insight into the molecular basis of normal language development and language disorder. We have identified gene networks regulated by FOXP2 that have been implicated in language development and demonstrated that new candidates for involvement in common language disorders can be found by identifying genes that act in these pathways. Our recent findings modeling Foxp2 pathways in the brain, suggest that neuronal connectivity and circuit formation is disturbed in particular types of language disorder due to neurite outgrowth defects during development. We are currently studying how effects on this and other FOXP2 related pathways that we have identified (including Wnt signalling and non-coding RNA pathways) are involved in neural circuit formation and language development, and investigating genetic risk factors from these pathways in patients via genome based screening studies. This novel approach will help us to understand the fundamental neurodevelopmental basis of language and pinpoint genetic risk factors for language impairments.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2012). Gene networks and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. Poster presented at the HFSP Alumni Meeting, Daegu, South Korea.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2012). Molecular windows into language: The view from FOXP2. Talk presented at the ICREA International Symposium on Biolinguistics. Barcelona, Spain. 2012-10-01 - 2012-10-03.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2012). Molecular windows into language: The view from FOXP2. Talk presented at the Castang Foundation Meeting. Edinburgh, UK. 2012-03.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2012). Molecular windows into language: the view from FOXP2. Talk presented at the ICREA International Symposium on Biolinguistics. Barcelona, Spain. 2012-10-01 - 2012-10-03.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2012). Molecular windows into language: the view from FOXP2. Talk presented at the workshop Disordered Auditory Processing in the Child: Nature, Assessment and Intervention: a multidisciplinary approach, organised by the Castang Foundation. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. 2012-03.
  • Walker, R., Hill, A. E., Newman, A. C., Hamilton, G., Torrance, H. S., Anderson, S. M., Ogawa, F., Derizioti, P., Nicod, J., Vernes, S. C., Fisher, S. E., Thomson, P. A., Porteous, D. J., & Evans, K. L. (2012). DISC1 promoter region: Bioinformatic characterisation and functional assessment. Poster presented at the 8th FENS (Federation of European Neurosciences) Forum of Neuroscience, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2011). Molecular windows into speech and language. Talk presented at the Institute of Neurology and Genetics. Larnaca, Cyprus. 2011.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2008). Functional genomic dissection of pathways involved in developmental speech and language disorders. Talk presented at the Genes and Behavior Gordon Research Conference. Lucca, Italy. 2008-02-24 - 2008-02-29.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2007). FOXP2, speech and language disorders, and neurodevelopment. Talk presented at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Department Evolutionary Genetics. Leipzig, Germany. 2007.
  • Vernes, S. C. (2006). The role of FOXP transcription factors in neurodevelopment. Talk presented at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. San Diego, USA. 2006.

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