06/04/2026
Short Reports
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread nanoweapon deployed by bacteria, but why is its deployment heterogeneous in many species? This study of T6SS in Escherichia coli by Boris Taillefer, Eric Cascales and co-workers shows that adopting distinct attacker "ON" and defender "OFF" roles optimizes survival, and is a key strategy in microbial warfare.
Image credit: pbio.3003838
Current Issue April 2026
06/02/2026
Research Article
Although subset of precursors can yield multiple mature miRNAs, how they simultaneously regulate a single biological process remains poorly understood. Fuxi Rong, Liang Wu and co-authors reveal that, in rice, dual mature miRNAs from one precursor regulate cadmium absorption and accumulation, with implications for producing low-cadmium rice.
Image credit: pbio.3003811
05/29/2026
Short Reports
Pathogenic variants in the ribosome-associated endoribonuclease SLFN14 cause inherited thrombocytopenia, but the molecular basis of this disorder is unclear. Chengchao Ding, Yan Xiang and co-workers reveal that type II tRNA cleavage by mutant SLFN14 drives global translational repression and cell death.
Image credit: pbio.3003830
05/29/2026
Research Article
Some smells can seem stronger than others despite equivalent odor concentrations, but how does this occur? Frans Nordén, Irene Zanettin, Mikael Lundqvist, Artin Arshamian and Johan Lundström show that coordinated neural activity between the human olfactory bulb and piriform cortex tracks how intensely an odor is perceived, rather than physical concentration.
Image credit: pbio.3003810
05/21/2026
Research Article
Bilaterian animals with centralized nervous systems have patterns of BMP signaling activity gradient that suggest an ‘anti-neural’ ancestral role. A study of cnidarians, by Paul Knabl, Grigory Genikhovich and co-workers, shows that BMP signalling can in fact promote neurogenesis and that the ‘anti-neural’ function described in vertebrates and arthropods is a side effect of its global function in DV axis patterning.
Image credit: Paul Knabl
05/20/2026
Research Article
Polymicrobial infections often involve co-colonizing pathogens, but how do they interact across host environments? Katlyn Todd, Olivia Schneider, Jay Vornhagen and co-authors show that phenazines from Pseudomonas aeruginosa drive strain- and oxygen-dependent inhibition of Klebsiella pneumoniae, revealing context-specific rules of competition.
Image credit: pbio.3003809
06/04/2026
Essay
Unified bacterial strain taxonomies are crucial. This Essay provides an overview of a novel bacterial strain taxonomy and describes how this system can be used in population biology and epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases.
Image credit: pbio.3003781
06/03/2026
Perspective
The use of large language models is rapidly transforming the scientific writing process, but this Perspective urges caution when using such tools, arguing that it can risk decoupling writing from thinking.
Image credit: Unsplash user Steve A Johnson
05/29/2026
Editorial
Aging affects us all, but we still do not know how the process evolves or if we can modulate its pace. This Editorial presents a Collection of articles that explores different aspects of aging, discussing what challenges still need to be overcome.
Image credit: Gustav Klimt
05/27/2026
Perspective
Classifying ovaries solely as reproductive organs has obscured their role as systemic regulators of female physiology. This Perspective discusses that ovarian aging is a primary determinant of healthspan and belongs at the center of geroscience.
Image credit: Pixabay user therapractice
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.
June 8 - 11
Meet Senior Editor Richard Hodge (rhodge@plos.org)
June 8 - 12
Meet Associate Editor Melissa Vazquez Hernandez (mvazquezhernandez@plos.org)
June 15 - 18
Meet Editor in Chief Nonia Pariente (npariente@plos.org)
June 22 - 26
Meet Associate Editor Ankiit Ahluwalia (aahluwalia@plos.org).
June 28 - July 2
Meet Senior Editor Roli Roberts (rroberts@plos.org)
Connect with Us