Cover image
Although higher mammals have unique brain structures, including the outer subventricular zone (OSVZ) and the inner fiber layer of the cerebral cortex, the mechanisms underlying the formation and abnormalities of these structures are sill largely unknown. This has mainly been because genetic manipulations that can be applied to higher mammals were poorly available. Kawasaki et al. (doi:10.1242/bio.20123160) developed a rapid and efficient genetic manipulation procedure for gyrencephalic carnivore ferrets. Uncovering the physiological importance and dysfunction of the OSVZ using their technique would contribute to understanding the human brain and its diseases.
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Cover article - Apolipoprotein L9 interacts with LC3/GABARAP and is a microtubule-associated protein with a widespread subcellular distribution
Arvind A. Thekkinghat, Kamlesh K. Yadav and Pundi N. Rangarajan demonstrate the versatile properties of apolipoprotein L9, a lipid-binding protein, and its influence on a variety of activities taking place inside an animal cell.
James J. Dowling and his colleagues conducted the first large-scale screening efforts for NEBLUN-related nemaline myopathy to address the urgent need for effective treatment for patients affected by the disease.
Have you seen our interviews with the early-career first authors of our papers? Recently, we caught up with first authors Arvind Thekkinghat, Shannon Taylor and Daisuke Takao.
Biology Open has strong credentials and publishing with us is easy and fast. BiO aims to provide rapid publication for scientifically sound observations and valid conclusions in developmental, cell, experimental and translational biology. Submit your paper here – you’ll be in good company!
Recent developmental biology highlights in BiO – Anna Nele Herdina and her colleagues define the spectrum of phenotypic abnormalities linked with Col4a2 disruption, and demonstrate the opportunities the Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders (DMDD) program offers for exploring rare human diseases.
Transfer to Biology Open
Did you know: if your submission to one of our sister journals, Development, Journal of Cell Science, Journal of Experimental Biology or Disease Models & Mechanisms, is unsuccessful, you can transfer your paper and any reviews directly to Biology Open. The majority of papers transferred with reviews are accepted for publication. Read here to find out more.
BiO partners with Publons.
Biology Open is pleased to announce a new partnership with Publons. This allows reviewers to easily track and verify every review by choosing to add the review to their Publons profile when completing the review submission form. Publons makes it simple for reviewers to showcase their peer review contributions in a format that can be included in job and funding applications (without breaking reviewer anonymity). Read the official announcement here!
preLights - preLights reaches 500 posts!
The success of preLights is down to the hard work of our preLighters. Head over to the preLights website to find out more about our most active early-career researchers.