04/10/2026
Research Article
Some bacteria polymerize excess carbon into polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable storage polymer, but its role in host–microbe interactions remains unclear. Gabrielle Giese, Daniel Richards, Albertha Walhout and co-workers reveal that PHB-producing bacteria kill the nematode C. elegans by disrupting pharyngeal and intestinal function, partially rescued by mutations in the DNase II gene nuc-1.
Image credit: Gregory Hendricks
Current Issue March 2026
04/10/2026
Research Article
Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PRs) play complex roles in several pathological processes, which has led to the development of pharmacological modulators. Leiye Yu, Haizhan Jiao, Bin Pang, Rujuan Ti and co-authors solve the cryo-EM structures of four agonist-bound S1PR1-Gi1 complexes and reveal the structural determinants underlying agonist selectivity among different subtypes.
Image credit: pbio.3003381
04/08/2026
Research Article
Cyclic‑di‑GMP regulates diverse bacterial functions, but how the many enzymes involved in its synthesis or degradation coordinate its homeostasis and physiological thresholds is unclear. Qing-Xue Sun, Xiaoli Zeng, Cheng-Cai Zhang and colleagues show that the 16 enzymes involved in c-di-GMP turnover in Anabaena function as an electromechanical-like dual relay to control c-di-GMP dynamics that mediate Anabaena cell size and viability.
Image credit: pbio.3003750
04/07/2026
Research Article
The neural dynamics of how experiences reshape our internal representations of the world are largely unknown. Xianhui He, Bernhard Staresina and co-workers reveal that learning sequential experiences reshapes how the brain represents what we see, and that a post-learning nap strengthens these predictive changes.
Image credit: pbio.3003740
04/06/2026
Research Article
Emerging research has highlighted the regulatory roles of m6A RNA modifications on bone homeostasis, but what about m6Am modifications? Wei Song, Kuan-Jui Su, Hong-Wen Deng, Quan Yuan and co-authors show that the PCIF1 m6Am methyltransferase supports bone mass maintenance by stabilizing Wnt pathway transcripts and promoting osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.
Image credit: pbio.3003739
04/06/2026
Research Article
Coronaviruses remodel host membranes for replication, but the lipid transport pathways involved are poorly understood. Zhelin Su, Limeng Sun, Guiqing Peng and colleagues identify the cholesterol transporter GRAMD1C as a host factor that promotes replication organelle formation and supports replication across multiple coronaviruses, revealing a broad-spectrum antiviral target.
Image credit: pbio.3003736
04/06/2026
Perspective
The competitive research funding system is at breaking point. Peter Kolarz argues that innovations to address this are needed on a grander scale than ever before, but this will not suffice; whole system transformation is required.
Image credit: Unsplash user Alexander Grey
03/26/2026
Formal Comment
In this Formal Comment, representatives from PLOS, Nature and JAMA call for action on adopting a principle-based approach for a responsible authorship culture.
Image credit: Roli Roberts
03/23/2026
Unsolved Mystery
The role of the cerebellum in motor functions is well understood, but why is it involved in working memory, language, social cognition, etc.? This Unsolved Mystery looks at the problems that have made it so difficult to answer this question.
Image credit: pbio.3003688
03/18/2026
Perspective
What concrete steps can we take to reinforce biorisk management? This Perspective advocates for robust gatekeeping of funding and publication using a new formal reporting standard for pathogen research.
Image credit: NIAID via Wikimedia Commons
This PLOS Biology collection aims to shine a light on the many facets of immunometabolism, highlighting how molecular and cellular mechanisms impact diverse tissue and organismal functions and the exciting potential for leveraging immunometabolism for therapeutic interventions.
Recent technological advancements in omics have unveiled the mechanisms governing tumor progression across spatial and temporal scales. This collection reveals the complexities of the crosstalk between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment.
Neurotechnology offers unprecedented opportunities to treat neural disorders, restore brain function and enhance cognitive abilities. This collection explores the present and possible futures of neurotechnology to improve human health and cognition.
Translating conservation and biodiversity research from the field into the real world is a complex problem. This collection discusses issues around economics, policy, and how to do research that answers questions that decision makers have.
Symbiosis research has become a holistic and pervasive field with a mature theoretical basis. This collection showcases symbiotic relationships across the tree of life, exploring their evolutionary basis and underlying mechanisms.
May 5 - 7
Meet Editor in Chief Nonia Pariente (npariente@plos.org)
May 11 - 15
Meet Associate Editor Melissa Vazquez Hernandez (mvazquezhernandez@plos.org)
May 18 - 22
Meet Senior Editor Ines Alvarez-Garcia (ialvarez-garcia@plos.org)
June 3 - 5
Meet Editor in Chief Nonia Pariente (npariente@plos.org)
June 8 - 11
Meet Magazine Senior Editor Joanna Clarke (jclarke@plos.org)
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