# The Genetic Basis of Vocal Learning

> **NIH NIH R01** · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $834,056

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
People and other animals learn many of their complex and socially oriented behaviors by imitating more
experienced individuals in their environment. Vocal imitation is one of the more striking and readily
quantifiable examples of this type of learning, but the genetic basis of this complex trait is still poorly
understood. The goal of this research is to determine the genetic basis of vocal imitation abilities by
establishing the first mutagenesis screen in a vocal learning species and the genetic tools for independently
testing the function of the identified genes by developing novel transgenic models using germline gene
targeting technologies. Humans are the only primate and one of only a handful of mammalian species to
have evolved the facility for vocal imitation. Aside from humans, songbirds, and in particular zebra finches,
are the best studied vocal learning species and they provide the only practical platform for systematically
identifying the genes involved in this important social behavior. Like speech, zebra finch song is a culturally
transmitted behavior learned via imitation. Moreover, functional, genetic and molecular parallels underscore
the use of zebra finch for identifying genes essential for vocal imitation. We hypothesize that a forward
genetic dominant screen, followed by the detailed genetic mapping and manipulations developed through
this proposal, will identify convergent and divergent genetic signatures for this polygenic trait. Establishing
a forward genetic screen and the genetic tools for verifying gene function in zebra finches will provide a
novel, comprehensive, and broadly impactful approach for trying to understand the genetic basis of vocal
and social communication.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10900446
- **Project number:** 5R01DC020333-04
- **Recipient organization:** UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** TODD F ROBERTS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $834,056
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-27 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10900446

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10900446, The Genetic Basis of Vocal Learning (5R01DC020333-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10900446. Licensed CC0.

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