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The beginnings of neural maturation in Drosophila

May 19, 2023

The beginnings of neural maturation in Drosophila

Within hours of neuron birth, terminal differentiation genes are transcribed, but not translated. This study in Drosophila by Catarina Homem and colleagues reveals that these transcripts are only translated days later in a manner that is coordinated with animal stage, starting mid-pupation, just before synaptogenesis, but independent of ecdysone signaling.


Image credit: Graça Marques.

PLOS Biologue

Community blog for PLOS Biology, PLOS Genetics and PLOS Computational Biology.

PLOS BIOLOGUE

05/19/2023

Research Article

Mouse whisker circuits integration

The superior colliculus, a conserved midbrain node with extensive long-range connectivity throughout the brain, is a key structure for innate behaviors. This study by Alexander Growth, Jesús Martín-Cortecero and co-workers uses trans-synaptic tracing and functional analysis to reveal novel pathways via the superior colliculus for the transformation of cortical signals into long-range output signals in the mouse whisker.

Image credit: pbio.3002126

Mouse whisker circuits integration

Recently Published Articles

Current Issue

Current Issue April 2023

05/19/2023

Methods and Resources

Eggerthella lenta finds its niche

Bacterial metabolism is important for human health, but most mechanistic insight relies on a few model organisms. This study by Peter Turnbaugh and colleagues uses a systems biology approach to explore the unusual metabolism of the prevalent and disease-linked gut actinobacterium Eggerthella lenta.

Image credit: pbio.3002125

Eggerthella lenta finds its niche

05/19/2023

Methods and Resources

Mapping enterocolitis attack

This manuscript by Liza Konnikova, Shalev Itzkovitz and colleagues presents a single cell atlas of human neonatal and necrotizing enterocolitis-affected small intestinal tissue, revealing cellular dysregulation that occurs in this disease and identifying new targets for future biomarker and therapeutic studies.

Image credit: pbio.3002124

Mapping enterocolitis attack

05/19/2023

Research Article

Candida albicans diversity in humans

Candida albicans is a frequent commensal colonizer of human mucosal surfaces as well as an opportunistic pathogen. This study by Teresa O’Meara and colleagues shows that healthy people are reservoirs for genotypically and phenotypically diverse C. albicans strains, and that these commensal strains retain the capacity for virulence.

Candida albicans diversity in humans

Image credit: pbio.3001822

05/18/2023

Research Article

How legumes detect microbes

Jens Stougaard and co-workers identified a new EPR3-type LysM receptor kinase that recognizes fungal β-glucans and rhizobial exopolysaccharides and regulates infection by arbuscular mycorrhiza and rhizobia in the model legume Lotus japonicus.

How legumes detect microbes

Image credit: pbio.3002127

05/16/2023

Research Article

Vintage antibiotics

Streptothricins were discovered in the early 1940's to have excellent gram-negative antibiotic activity, but how do they work? A combination of microbiological and structural biology studies by James Kirby and colleagues reveals their mechanism of action, highlighting unique interactions with the 30S ribosomal subunit.

Vintage antibiotics

Image credit: pbio.3002091

05/15/2023

Essay

Viral-host interactions

In this Essay by Stephanie Jurburg and co-workers, the authors argue that new experimental designs are required to characterize the full spectrum of viral interactions, including mutualism and commensalism.

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Viral-host interactions

Image credit: Stephanie Jurburg and Erik Hom

05/04/2023

Perspective

A compassionate future for museums?

Allison Byrne calls for the adoption of compassionate collection practices, through which natural history museums can maintain existing collections, accommodate more non-lethal specimens and data, and foster an inclusive community.

A compassionate future for museums?

Image credit: Flickr user Virginia State Park

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PLOS Biology | ISSN: 1545-7885 (online)