Clyde Francks

The Imaging Genomics research group, led by Prof. dr Clyde Francks, studies the genetics of language, brain disorders and laterality of the brain. For most people, the left and right sides of the human brain specialise in performing different functions and processing different types of information - in fact, much of our cognition is relatively lateralized to one side or the other. Language is an excellent example of this lateralized function; in most people, several component processes are performed in the left side of the brain. The Imaging Genomics group is especially interested in genes that are involved in establishing how the two hemispheres develop and function differently, for example by affecting how the nervous system develops in the embryo. Although it has been established that left-right asymmetry plays an important role in the way in which the human brain is organised, very little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our team of researchers is working hard to uncover new knowledge in this area.