Genomic Pillars of the Social Brain

Explore groundbreaking research on the genomic foundations of social behavior in a presidential lecture that delves into the fascinating parallels between honey bees and humans. Discover how social brains have enabled complex traits like agriculture, construction, governance, and language across species. Learn how different behavioral states correspond to distinct patterns of brain gene expression and regulatory networks, with particular focus on honey bees as exemplars of social evolution. Examine cutting-edge findings that demonstrate how brain gene expression changes work in concert with neural activity to influence behavior, and understand how similar genetic building blocks support social capabilities across diverse species. Gain insights into a revolutionary perspective on nature versus nurture that emphasizes gene action across physiological and evolutionary timescales, applicable to both humans and insects. Through detailed analysis and compelling evidence, grasp how genomic research is reshaping our understanding of social behavior and brain function in both invertebrate and human societies.