January 26, 2026
PLOS Genetics
01/22/2026
research article
Chromatin state architecture governs transcription factor accessibility across plant genomes
The authors establish the broad conservation of chromatin states and their association with transcription in land plants. They design an index that predicts transcription factor binding and identify distinct groups of transcription factors based on their occupation of chromatin states.
Image credit: Shukla et al
Recently Published Articles
- An essential gene screening identifies yeast Mot1 as a suppressor of R-loops and genome instability
- A machine learning classifier to identify and prioritise genes associated with murine cardiac development
- Serine/threonine protein kinase phosphorylation of DosR alters target gene transcription mechanics and regulatesMycobacterium tuberculosis response to nitric oxide stress
Current IssueOctober 2025
01/16/2026
research article
Temperature and genetic background drive mobilization of diverse transposable elements in a global human fungal pathogen
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile segments of DNA that can “jump” from one place to another in a genome, causing genetic changes that can impact fitness and evolution. The authors investigate how different environmental conditions influence TE mobility in the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans.
Image credit: Emanuel Rodriguez
01/09/2026
research article
Local mitochondrial physiology defined by mtDNA quality guides purifying selection
Using baker’s yeast as a model system, the authors developed a rapid approach that allowed them to track how healthy and mutant mitochondrial DNA variants are inherited when cells divide. They found that cells preferentially retain mitochondrial DNA that supports normal mitochondrial function, even under conditions where respiration is not required.
Image credit: Elijah Pilchard
10/30/2025
research article
High-throughput conjugation reveals strain specific recombination patterns enabling precise trait mapping inEscherichia coli
In this article, the authors develop a high-throughput conjugation method in E. coli and, using whole-genome sequencing, reveal strain-specific recombination patterns with fragment sizes from under 10 kb to over 1 Mb. This diversity enables kilobase-scale trait mapping and challenges the view that conjugation only transfers...
Image credit: pgen.1011636
10/27/2025
research article
TERT translocation to mitochondria: Exploring its role in mitochondrial homeostasis
Here, the authors show that TERT localizes within mitochondria under physiological conditions, independent of TERC. TERT binds mitochondrial DNA, influencing replication and transcription, and induces mitochondrial network fragmentation. These findings suggest that TERT regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and...
Image credit: pgen.1011923
10/27/2025
research article
The epigenetic factorZrf1 regulates intestinal stem cell proliferation during midgut regeneration
Through an RNAi screen in the Drosophila midgut, the authors identify the epigenetic factor Zrf1 as a key regulator of intestinal stem cell proliferation. Functional analyses show that Zrf1 integrates signals from multiple pathways and interacts with components of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC)...
Image credit: pgen.1011910
10/31/2025
research article
The tRNA epitranscriptomic landscape and RNA modification enzymes inVibrio cholerae
Here, the authors present an isodecoder-level map of tRNA modifications inVibrio cholerae, generated using chemical sequencing of wild-type and deletion strains.
Image credit: pgen.1011937
10/31/2025
research article
METTL3 facilitates the translation of CircSIK2 during chicken myogenesis in an m6A dependent manner
Using sequencing, ribosome profiling and mass spectrometry, the authors identify circular RNAs translated during chicken myogenesis.
Image credit: pgen.1011934
10/24/2025
research article
TSSKLis essential for sperm mitochondrial morphogenesis and male fertility in moths
Using CRISPR/Cas9 in silk and diamondback moths, the authors show that the testis-specific kinase-like gene TSSKL is essential for male fertility. Loss of TSSKL disrupts mitochondrial structure...
Image credit: pgen.1011914
10/13/2025
research article
Twitching motility suppressors reveal a role for FimX in type IV pilus extension dynamics
The authors show that FimX controls type IV pilus extension inPseudomonas aeruginosa via the ATPase PilB. DeletingfimXshortens pili and impairs twitching, rescued by...
Image credit: pgen.1011802
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