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PLOS Genetics

April 9, 2026

PLOS Genetics

04/03/2026

research article

System drift in the evolution of plant meristem development

A key open question in evolution of development (evo-devo) is the evolvability of complex phenotypes. Developmental system drift (DSD) contributes to evolvability by exploring different genotypes with similar phenotypic outcome, but with mutational neighbourhoods that have different, potentially adaptive, phenotypes. The authors investigated the potential for DSD in plant development using a computational model of developmental evolution.

Image credit: van de Jagt, Oud, Vroomans

System drift in the evolution of plant meristem development

03/13/2026

opinion

Wanted: A population genetic theory of biological noise regulation

Darwin’s theory of evolution describes how mean trait values change in response to natural selection over generations. But if mean trait values are subject to natural selection, what about the amount of variation (or noise) around those means?

Wanted: A population genetic theory of biological noise regulation

Image credit: Pawel Czerwinski

02/12/2026

research aricle

Genetic underpinnings of chills from art and music

Many people experience chills when listening to music, reading poetry, or viewing art. Yet not everyone feels these reactions in the same way. These differences provide a window into how our brains and bodies respond to art, revealing individual variation in emotional experiences. 

Genetic underpinnings of chills from art and music

Image credit: Europeana

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PLOS Genetics | ISSN: 1553-7404 (online)