Humans Outspeak Chimps: Gene Expression Unlocks Our Brain's Secrets

UC Santa Barbara researchers revealed that despite sharing ~95-99% of genes with chimps, humans excel in gene expression. Around 5-10% of the 25,000 genes produce more mRNA, rising to 12-15% in specific cell types. Glial cells, especially oligodendrocytes, show the biggest expression boost, potentially powering our advanced cognition. Using cutting-edge single-cell analysis in 2024, the study underscores gene expression’s vital role in brain evolution – proving it’s not just the genes, but how you use them!