Issues
-
Cover image
Cover Image
The image shows a confocal maximum projection of a Plpp3 mutant mouse embryo at 7.5 days of development with evident disorganization of the visceral endoderm (external layer). F-actin stained with falloidin-Texas red. The paper by Montané-Romero et al., explores the role of PLPP3 in pluripotency exit and endoderm differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. Image licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
- PDF Icon PDF LinkIssue info
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Valproic acid affects neurogenesis during early optic tectum development in zebrafish
Summary: Optic tectum (OT) is a midbrain structure that is important in integrating multimodal input and guides non-voluntary movements in response to prevalent stimuli. Here we show that valproic acid, associated with autism spectrum disorder, leads to a delay in OT's neurogenesis and neuron specification.
What drives mixed-species shoaling among wild zebrafish? The roles of predators, food access, abundance of conspecifics and familiarity
Summary: In their natural habitats, zebrafish often shoal with co-occurring species. This study reveals that food apportionment, benefits related to predator avoidance and familiarity are potential drivers towards mixed-species shoaling among zebrafish.
Requirement for STAT3 and its target, TFCP2L1, in self-renewal of naïve pluripotent stem cells in vivo and in vitro
Summary: Inducing diapause in mouse embryos demonstrates that STAT3 and TFCP2L1 are essential for self-renewal of the epiblast, but only TFCP2L1 is also required for derivation of embryonic stem cells.
Plpp3, a novel regulator of pluripotency exit and endodermal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells
Summary: We discuss two novel roles of phospholipid phosphatase 3 (PLPP3), in pluripotency exit in mouse embryonic stem cells and in endodermal differentiation through the regulation of bioactive lipid signaling.
Sequential events during the quiescence to proliferation transition establish patterns of follicle cell differentiation in the Drosophila ovary
Summary: Epithelial follicle stem cells in the fly ovary depend on dynamic, axon-like cytoplasmic projections to re-establish cell fate patterning after a period of nutrient restriction.
Tailless and hypoxia inducible factor-2α cooperate to sustain proangiogenic states of retinal astrocytes in neonatal mice
Summary: Retinal astrocytes lose their ability to support angiogenesis as they mature. Protein–protein interaction between Tlx and HIF-2α maintains retinal astrocytes in their proangiogenic progenitor and immature states.
Establishment of a novel axon pruning model of Drosophila motor neuron
Summary: Our findings establish an unprecedented axon pruning mode that will serve to systematically screen and identify undiscovered axon pruning regulators.
FIRST PERSON
CORRECTIONS
Advertisement
A new Editor-in-Chief and new future for Biology Open

Find out more about the changes at the helm of Biology Open from departing Editor-in-Chief Steve Kelly and Director of The Company of Biologists Laura Machesky. And read our interview with new Editor-in-Chief Daniel Gorelick.
A Year at the Forefront of Plasmodesmal Biology

Andrea Paterlini presents a short overview of recent discoveries, innovations, community resources and hypotheses in the field of plasmodesmata biology.
Future Leader Review: Glial plasticity at nervous system transition zones

In our most recent Future Leader Review, Laura Fontenas from Florida Atlantic University highlights recent work on glial cell migration in and out of the spinal cord.
Future Leader Reviews
Our Future Leader Reviews help early-career researchers:
- Establish themselves in their field
- Find a foothold in a new area after a subject change post-PhD/postdoc
- Build their profile for grant, fellowship and job applications
Sustainable Conferencing Initiative

Through our Sustainable Conferencing Grants, we promote the use of new technology and greener modes of travel. Our blog posts showcase examples of sustainability in action and share experience about how new technologies and conference formats work in practice.