Scientific Publishing in the Life Sciences:A Behind the Scenes View of Cell Press Journals

Katja Brose, PhD

Editor, NeuronExecutive Editor, Neuroscience-Cell Press

kbrose@cell.com

Overview of Talk

• Introduction to Cell Press and Neuron

• Writing and submitting a Paper

• Editorial Review Process: What happens to a paper after submissionReviews and decision Letters

• Cell Press in China

• Final Tips for Authors

Introduction to Cell Press and Neuron

The Cell Press Collection

Trends Reviews Journals

Cell Press Society Publishing

American Society of Human Genetics

Biophysical Society

Cell Press History

Cell founded in 1974 at MIT Press

Benjamin Lewin bought Cell in 1986: Cell Press is born

Over next 13 years, Cell Press launches 3 journals: Neuron (1989), Immunity (1994), Molecular Cell (1997)

Elsevier buys Cell Press in April 1999

-acquired Current Biology, Structure, Chemistry & Biology-launched Developmental Cell, Cancer Cell, Cell Metabolism, Cell Stem Cell, Cell Host & Microbe-merger with Trends journals in 2007-Cell Press Society Journals:

AJHG (2008), Biophysical Journal (2009)

Cell Press StaffManagement Team:Lynne Herndon (President and CEO)Emilie Marcus (Executive Editor, VP Content Development)Keith Wollman (VP Web Development and Operations)Els Bosma (VP Marketing and Publishing)

105 people, based Cambridge 55 In-house PhD scientific EditorsIn-house copy editing, production staffMarketing and press officeAdvertising and commercial sales

High Impact Publishing:Top ranking in ISI impact factors

Primary journalsPrimary journals 2008 IF2008 IF Trends inTrends in…….. 2008 IF2008 IF

CellCell 31.231.2 Biochemical SciencesBiochemical Sciences 14.114.1

Cancer CellCancer Cell 24.924.9 Cell BiologyCell Biology 13.413.4

ImmunityImmunity 20.620.6 NeuroscienceNeuroscience 12.812.8

Cell Stem CellCell Stem Cell 16.816.8 Ecology & EvolutionEcology & Evolution 11.911.9

Cell MetabolismCell Metabolism 16.116.1 Cognitive SciencesCognitive Sciences 11.011.0

NeuronNeuron 14.214.2 Molecular MedicineMolecular Medicine 9.69.6

Molecular CellMolecular Cell 12.912.9 ImmunologyImmunology 9.99.9

Developmental CellDevelopmental Cell 12.912.9 Pharmacological SciencesPharmacological Sciences 9.39.3

Current BiologyCurrent Biology 10.810.8 Plant SciencePlant Science 9.29.2

Cell Host & MicrobeCell Host & Microbe 7.47.4 GeneticsGenetics 8.78.7

Chemistry & BiologyChemistry & Biology 5.65.6 Endocrinology & MetabolismEndocrinology & Metabolism 7.17.1

StructureStructure 5.45.4 BiotechnologyBiotechnology 6.66.6

MicrobiologyMicrobiology 6.16.1

American Journal of Human GeneticsAmerican Journal of Human Genetics 10.110.1 ParasitologyParasitology 4.74.7

Biophysical JournalBiophysical Journal 4.74.7

High Impact Publishing:Press coverage

Cell Press Online: www.cell.com

AccessFull archive of content to 1974All content free after one year

Keeping scientists up to date on the latest scienceRSS feeds, e-toc alerts, Twitter AlertsAuthorative Reviews and Previews

Innovative online contentmonthly Cell Press PodCastPaperClipsPaperFlicksCommentsCell Press YouTube Channel

Making it easier for scientists to connectCell Career NetworkCell Press Conference Calendar

Innovating the future of publishingArticle of the Future

My Background and Role as EditorEditor, NeuronExecutive Editor- Neuroscience Portfolio

(Neuron, TiNS, TiCS)

My background:PhD in Biochemistry/Neuroscience-UCSF

Joined Cell Press in 2000 as Senior Editor at Neuron

Appointed Editor of Neuron 2004, Executive Editor-Neuroscience 2007

Responsible for the day-to-day management and longer term strategic development of Neuron and the Neuroscience Portfolio

team of 5 editors Neuron, 2 editors Trends (TiNS, TiCS)

editorial assistant, production staff

Shen et al….Duan, S. Neuron May 2006

Writing and submitting a Paper

Writing and Submitting a Paper

• Before the paper gets written: doing the research

• Choosing a journal to submit to

• Preparing the manuscript

• The Cover Letter

A good research project:The most important step to a strong paper

• Carefully consider the biological problem and question you want to address

• Read the current literature to put your project into context

• Plan logically designed experiments

• Quality of the experiments is more important than quantity

• Critically assess your experiments and interpretations—become your own “most critical reviewer”

Choosing a journal to submit to

• Read the journals in your field---which journals match the scope and format of your study. Consider the journal’s “aims and scope”

• Does the journal publish broadly similar papers?

• Is the journal widely read by the people you want to see the paper?

• If you are unsure consider sending a presubmission inquiry to the journal to assess their interest

• Avoid Impact Factor or Citation Index obsession---impact factors may matter but they should not be the only consideration for submission

Preparing the Manuscript for Submission

• Pay careful attention to the author guidelines, in particular to formatting. Can use other papers in journal as a guide to style

• Present the paper as a logical story not just a chronological account

• Include a well-referenced Introduction and insightful Discussion to place your findings into the broader context of the field

• When writing always think about your message: why are these findings important for the field? What have we learned?

• Ask colleagues from your field AND from outside your field to read and comment on your paper

• Seek language and editorial assistance if needed

Language

• No paper is every rejected because of language problems and decisions are based on scientific merit

• If a paper’s language is difficult to follow, Editors may ask the authors to rewrite or use a language editing service

• We strongly recommend authors to have a native english speaker review their papers prior to submission

Recommendations from Elsevier for language editing services at competitive rates:

http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/authorsview.authors/languagepolishing

Language Editing Services

http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/authorsview.authors/languagepolishing

Publishing Ethics for Authors• Authors need to be aware of and adhere to publishing guidelines

and ethics.

Adherence to these guidelines is ESSENTIAL, as they underlie the integrity of peer-reviewed scientific work.

• Issues that can arise and cause major problems:Redundant publications (publishing same/similar data more than once)PlagiarismData fabrication and falsificationFigure manipulationImproper use of human subjects and animals in researchImproper author contribution

Author guidelines Cell Press:http://www.cell.com/authors

Elsevier Ethical guidelines for Journal Publication:http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/intro.cws_home/ethical_guidelines

Preparing the Cover Letter:An opportunity to present your paper to the Editors

• Cover letter gives you a chance to present the paper’s significance directly to the Editor

• Use cover letter to explain the your question and why it’s important

• May include reviewer suggestions and exclusions

• Include copies of related work submitted or in press elsewhere

Editorial Review Process: What happens to a paper after submission

Editorial Structure at Cell Press

Cell Press journals are built on a collaborative structure:

AuthorsReviewersEditorial BoardEditorsPublisher

The journal is a collaborative effort between all of these.

The overall goal is to serve the scientific community by disseminating important advances and promoting interdisciplinary research.

Editorial Review Process:What happens to a paper after submission

Each paper is carefully evaluated by an in-house PhD Editor and editorial team to determine whether to proceed with peer review

Approximately 50-60% of submissions proceed to peer review

If the paper is sent out for review, the editor selects three reviewers

If the paper is declines without review, the editor explains the decision in a decision letter

Decisions are made quickly, 5 days for initial review and 4 weeks for review

Final acceptance rate is approximately 15%

Editorial Review Process:What do editors (and reviewers) look for in a paper

• Does the paper fall within the scope of the journal?

• What is the question being addressed and how does it relate to the overall field of study? Does the study ask an interesting and important question? Does it change the way we think about a field, a process or a particularissue in some way?

• How do the findings in the paper advance thinking in this field? We read previous literature on the topic and also read your Introduction and Discussion to understand the context of the paperDoes the work provide insights into mechanism and if so, at whatlevel?

• Is the experimental design and interpretation sound?

• Is the paper well written and clear, accessible for a broad readership?

Editorial Review Process:How is a decision made when the reviews come in

• The Editor and editorial team will read and evaluate the reviewscarefully

• Editor may invite a revision or reject (“suggest submission elsewhere”)

• Decision Letter will include the reviews and an explanation of the decision---carefully read both the letter and the reviews

• Decisions are made based on the overall recommendations and the decision is not a “vote”

• Editor may discuss the paper further with reviewers or experts to clarify issues and decision

Editorial Review Process:Reading the decision letter and possible next steps

• Read the reviews and decision letter carefully. Focus on the scientific issues raised and aim for a constructive and objective view of the reviews

• Did the Editor invite a revision or mention this option?

• For a revision, decide which criticisms can be addressed with new experiments or with clarification. If there are questions about how to approach the revision, contact the editor.

• For resubmission, outline your response to reviews and new experiments in a point-by-point response letter.

• For a rejection, if you disagree with the reviews and decision or can address the critiques, an appeal may be an option.

However, simply arguing the points is usually not effective and new data is usually required. Be realistic---if the reviewers have valid criticisms (even if you disagree) it is usually not productive to appeal

Editorial Review Process:Resubmission

If you are submitting a revised version, include a detailed, point-by-point response of how you have responded to the reviewers’(and the Editor’s, if relevant) comments.

The point-by-point response can include:

• New data to address or correct the criticisms highlighted by thereviewers

• Text discussion to clarify or better discuss the point being raised

• Less frequently: you may state that the point has already has been addressed, the reviewer has made a factual error, or the requested data are outside the scope of the paper (but such arguments will need to justified)

Editorial Review Process:Example of a Point-by-point Response

Reviewer: “How is mtGTP doing its job stimulating GSIS? Are we dealing with extracellular or intracellular Ca2+ stores and once that is clarified the actual mechanisms should be provided. How is mitochondrial membrane potential changing under the various experimental conditions?”

Author response: NEW EXPERIMENTS

The additional experiments added to this revised edition identify that the mtGTPsignal appears to act via regulation of mitochondrial energy utilization and may shift metabolism from ATP production to mitochondrial calcium export.a. Extra-cellular calcium is essential for the mtGTP signal (Fig. 5a). b. Intramitochondrial calcium is trapped within the matrix in the absence of mtGTP(Fig. 7b)c. The mitochondrial membrane potential is spent when mtGTP is high andunspentwhen mtGTP is low (Fig. 6c).

Reviewer: “…the Ca2+ signal looks rather delayed as well as modest and it isdifficult to reconcile such a response with the pronounced effect on insulin release.”

Author response: CLARIFICATION

The calcium signal looks delayed in the kinetic studies because, as mentioned, these experiments were performed at room temperature and not in a thermostated environment.

Cell Press in China

Cell Press in China

numbers of submissions from China are still small (4% total), but growing

submissions to Cell Press titles

China Total worldwide

2007 408 10,4362008 538 11,6402009** 362 8,326

(**first 8 months 2009)

reflective of small numbers, acceptance rate is also small (<5%)

2007 152008 222009** 8

(**first 8 months 2009)

Cell Press in China:Submission relative to other countries

Submissions to Neuron 2008:

USA 980Germany 180UK 165Japan 110Canada 92France 86China 53Italy 48Switzerland 46Israel 39Spain 30Australia 20Korea 17Taiwan 12Sweden 14

Some Recent 2009 papers from China

NEURON

Developmental Cell

Immunity

Cell Stem Cell

Cell

Molecular Cell

Final Tips for Authors

• A good project and strong science is the foundation for a good paper

• Take the time when planning your project to think about the question you are asking and how best to address it experimentally

• Read the literature in your field— what are the questions and issues that the field is interested in?

• Get feedback from colleagues in your field and colleagues from outside your field---attend meetings and seminars, participate in journal clubs

Test your ideas and get feedback. Be your own most critical reviewer!

• Communication: pay attention to the way you present your story

• Consider how to match your paper to the right journal

Thanks and Questions?

Find out more online author workshops at www.paperpub.com.cn