This week’s articles address the release of volatile organic compounds from plant cells, a gene regulatory network that ensures proper neural patterning despite variability in morphogen gradients, and a role for adenosine signaling in the plasticity of an auditory circuit.
PLANT SCIENCE
Active transport of aromas
Adebesin et al. found that rather than simply diffusing out of cells, volatile organic compounds in petunias require an active transporter for release (see also Eberl and Gershenzon).
NEURODEVELOPMENT
Building the neural tube
Zagorski et al. describe a gene regulatory network that responds to noisy signals to build robustness and accuracy into tissue patterning during development.
Reopening a critical period
Blundon et al. show that the auditory cortex of adult mice acquires juvenile flexibility if adenosine signaling is disrupted (see also Kehayas and Holtmaat).
