Scope in one sentence
An open access Cell Press journal across the life sciences, looking for new biological insight, with a focus on shorter single-point Reports alongside longer research articles and resources.
Length by article type
| Article type | Words | Figures / tables | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Up to 4,000 | Up to 4 | Not specified |
| Research article | Up to 7,000 | Up to 7 | Not specified |
| Resource | Up to 7,000 | Up to 7 | Not specified |
| Review | 5,000 to 7,000 | Up to 4 display elements | Up to 100 |
| Preview | 1,000 (commissioned only) | 1 or 2 | Up to 10 |
For Reports, research articles and resources, the word count includes figure legends but excludes STAR Methods, supplemental item legends and references. Resources must also show new biological insight.
Submission
- No presubmission inquiries; submit the full manuscript directly.
- Formatting requirements do not apply at initial submission; they apply at revision.
- Cell Press Multi-Journal Submission lets you be considered by several Cell Press journals at once through one handling editor.
- Preprints on established servers are fine.
- Revised papers inactive for more than a year are withdrawn automatically.
Sections at revision
- Summary, keywords, Introduction, Results, Discussion and a separate Limitations of the study section.
- Resource availability with three required subsections: lead contact, materials availability, and data and code availability.
- STAR Methods with a key resources table.
- Author contributions (CRediT encouraged) and a declaration of interests, also submitted as a form.
- One designated lead contact, marked in the author list.
Data, reporting and images
- Standardized data types must be deposited in a recommended repository before acceptance; original code needs a DOI.
- Report sex or gender for humans, sex of animals and cells, and age or developmental stage; explain if this is not possible.
- Image adjustments must apply to the whole image; full gel images belong in the supplemental data for cropped blots.
Using AI tools
AI use in writing must be declared in a dedicated section with a standard statement naming the tool and purpose; basic grammar and reference tools are exempt. Generative AI may not create or alter images of research data, and general-purpose AI image tools may not be used for graphical abstracts or cover art.
Fees
Open access with a publication fee; see the publishing options page.
Draft your manuscript from your own figures
A Report makes one strong point in 4,000 words including legends. PublicationGod drafts legends and results from your confirmed figures and helps keep introduction and discussion focused.
Start drafting