Project description:We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate inter-species differences in germ cell development between chicken and zebra finch (Taeniopygia castanotis, formerly Taeniopygia guttata castanotis), a Neoaves songbird species and a common model of vocal learning.
Project description:We have conducted a Cross-Species Microarray analysis by hybridizing genomic DNA from the common whitethroat (Sylivia communis) on a newly developed Affymetrix costum array designed for the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), the Lund-zf array. We have also quality tested the Lund-zf array by hybridizing zebra finch genomic DNA to the platform.
Project description:Similarities between speech and birdsong make songbirds advantageous for investigating the neurogenetics of learned vocal communication; a complex phenotype likely supported by ensembles of interacting genes in cortico-basal ganglia pathways of both species. To date, only FoxP2 has been identified as critical to both speech and birdsong. We performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis on microarray data from singing zebra finches to discover gene ensembles regulated during vocal behavior. We found ~2,000 singing- regulated genes comprising 3 co-expression groups unique to area X, the basal ganglia subregion dedicated to learned vocal-motor behavior. These contained known targets of human FOXP2 and potential avian targets. We validated novel biological pathways for vocalization. Our findings show that higher-order gene co-expression patterns, rather than expression levels, molecularly distinguish area X from the ventral striato-pallidum during singing. The previously unknown structure of singing-driven networks enables prioritization of molecular interactors that likely bear on human motor disorders, especially those affecting speech. Gene expression was measured in 2 basal ganglia sub-regions (area X & ventral striato-pallidum (VSP)) of 27 adult male zebra finches that sang different amounts of song over a 2hr period in the morning. 18 birds were allowed to sing freely, 9 birds were discouraged from singing by the presence of an investigator and those that sang fewer than 10 song motifs were considered “non-singers”.
