Brain Evolution

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution". So wrote the evolutionary biologist Theodosius Dobzhansky ciriticising both anti-evolution creationism and the reductionist synthesis of 20th century molecular biology. The expression is particularly true when trying to understand the human brain. Speakers at BCBT have addressed broad questions from identifying the units of selection for brain and behaviour (Barbara Finlay), understanding the origins and evolution of mammalian cortex (Jon Kaas), and tracing the evolutionary origins of some of the first brains (Nick Strausfeld).