Michael S. Brainard

Repeated evolutionary turnover of vertebrate skeletal muscle myosins

This study models the evolutionary history of over 1100 myosin heavy-chain proteins across vertebrates, revealing repeated gene duplication-loss turnover and independent evolution of core myosin subfamilies in each major vertebrate group.

Gene regulatory co-option drives birdsong neural circuit specialization

The paper identifies gene regulatory co-option as a mechanism driving the evolution of specialized neural circuits in birdsong by analyzing gene expression and chromatin accessibility in songbird brains.

An interneuronal CRH and CRHBP circuit stabilizes birdsong performance

The paper identifies a CRH and CRHBP interneuronal circuit that regulates song stability in birds by modulating variability.

Lesions in a songbird vocal circuit increase variability in song syntax

This study shows that lesions in the mMAN region increase variability in song syntax of Bengalese finches, suggesting its role in sequencing vocal elements.

Dynamic top-down biasing implements rapid adaptive changes to individual movements

The paper identifies a dynamic top-down influence of LMAN on RA during birdsong learning, showing strengthened co-fluctuations and context-specific motor-biasing.

Neural circuit-wide analysis of gene expression during deafening-induced destabilization ofbirdsong

The paper investigates how deafening affects gene expression across the birdsong sensorimotor circuit, identifying molecular changes in specific neural regions and their coordination.

Shared mechanisms of auditory and non-auditory vocal learning in the songbird brain

This study shows that non-auditory feedback can drive vocal learning in adult songbirds and that a specific brain pathway is necessary for both auditory and non-auditory vocal plasticity.

Songbirds can learn flexible contextual control over syllable sequencing

This study shows that Bengalese finches can learn to modify syllable sequencing based on visual cues, demonstrating a form of contextual control similar to human speech.

Heritable differences in synaptic zinc-transporter levels drive variation in learned birdsong

The paper was withdrawn due to inability to reproduce results regarding zinc and SLC39all's role in song tempo variation.