{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Enzyme linked with brain evolution","description":"Implications of a mutation in modern humans Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Xiangchun Ju and Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo explore the evolutionary implications of a mutation that separates modern humans from ancestral hominins. In this episode, we cover: \u2022[00:00]&amp;nbsp; \u2022[01:22] Neurobiologist Xiangchun Ju introduces the enzyme adenylosuccinate lyase, or ADSL, and its role in the synthesis of purine. \u2022[02:09] Evolutionary anthropologist Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo talks about the discovery of the A429V mutation, which is present in modern humans but not Neanderthals or Denisovans. \u2022[03:38] Ju and P\u00e4\u00e4bo talk about the methods to humanize mice in order to study the evolutionary importance of the A429V mutation. \u2022[05:04] They explain the results of the behavioral studies of the humanized mice. \u2022[06:27] P\u00e4\u00e4bo explores the takeaways from the study.&amp;nbsp; \u2022[08:05] He contextualizes the study alongside other studies of modern human development. \u2022[09:17] P\u00e4\u00e4bo and Ju list the caveats and limitations of the study. \u2022[10:14] Conclusion. About Our Guests: Xiangchun Ju Postdoctoral scholar Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo Director Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology View related content here: https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2508540122 Follow us on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/about\/science-sessions-podcast&amp;nbsp; Follow PNAS: Twitter\/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter ","author_name":"PNAS Science Sessions","author_url":"http:\/\/pnas-science-sessions-podcast.libsyn.com\/website","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/38538075\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/38538075"}