- For authors
- Open access · CC BY 4.0
Instructions for Authors
How to prepare and submit a manuscript to the Journal of Transgenics: submission routes, article types, manuscript structure, reporting standards, ethics statements and fees.
Submission routes
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Primary route
The publisher's online submission and review system. Register or sign in, choose the Journal of Transgenics and upload the manuscript files.
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Alternative route
Simple manuscript submission form
A single-page form that opens with the Journal of Transgenics selected.
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Assisted route: editorial email
For authors who are unable to use either online route. Send the manuscript files with a cover letter to the editorial office.
Authors must use only one submission route for the same manuscript.
Article types
JTR publishes the article types below. Requirements depend on the format; a Methods and Results structure applies where the design calls for it. The scope of each type is set out in the Aims and Scope.
Original Research
Empirical studies of transgenic organisms and genome editing, basic or applied, including studies that generate and characterize transgenic or genome-edited lines.
- Abstract
- Structured: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions.
- Main text
- Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions. State the research question and describe constructs, editing reagents, organisms or lines, controls and replication.
- Reporting
- The guideline for the design where one applies, for example ARRIVE 2.0 for animal research.
Review
Critical and balanced reviews of a defined topic in transgenics or genome editing. Systematic reviews state their methods.
- Abstract
- Unstructured, or structured for a systematic review.
- Main text
- Introduction; thematic sections that organize the literature; open questions and future directions. A systematic review gives its eligibility criteria, sources, search strategy and selection process.
- Reporting
- PRISMA 2020 for systematic reviews, where applicable.
Methods and Protocols
New, adapted or validated methods and step-by-step protocols for making, editing or characterizing transgenic organisms.
- Abstract
- Structured, with headings adapted to the method.
- Main text
- Rationale; a description of the method with the detail, materials, sequences and code others need to apply it; validation or a worked application, compared with existing approaches where available; limitations and troubleshooting.
- Reporting
- Provide construct sequences and reagent sources, and the guideline for the validation design where one applies.
Short Communication
A concise report of a focused or preliminary finding of clear importance to the field.
- Abstract
- Brief, structured.
- Main text
- A condensed Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion centered on the main finding.
- Reporting
- As for Original Research, where applicable.
Data Note
A description of a dataset or resource of value to the field, such as sequence, expression or imaging data, to support its reuse.
- Abstract
- Brief, unstructured.
- Main text
- Background and rationale; data collection methods; description of the dataset (variables, format, coverage); quality control; data access, with the repository, persistent identifier and license; limitations for reuse. Analyses are limited to those that describe the data.
- Reporting
- Deposit the dataset in a recognized repository before submission, and follow the guideline for the original study design where applicable.
Commentary
An evidence-based argument on a current question in transgenics or genome editing, or on published research. Perspectives and viewpoints are submitted as Commentaries.
- Abstract
- None, or a brief unstructured summary.
- Main text
- A focused argument, supported by cited evidence, without a Methods and Results structure.
- Reporting
- Reference the evidence discussed.
Length. There are no fixed length limits for any article type; manuscripts should be concise and proportionate to their content.
Choosing a type. Where a manuscript sits between types, choose the closest type and explain the choice in the cover letter; the editors confirm the classification. A protocol is submitted as Methods and Protocols.
Preparing the manuscript
These requirements apply to every article type. The structure of the main text follows the guidance for the type above.
- Files
- The main text as an editable word-processing file (for example, Microsoft Word), with figures, tables that cannot be edited in the text, and supplementary material supplied as separate files.
- Title page
- A concise, informative title; full names, affiliations and ORCID iDs (recommended) of all authors; and the corresponding author's contact details.
- Double-blind review
- For double-blind review, remove author names, affiliations, acknowledgments, funding details, institution names, and other identifying information from the reviewer manuscript. Provide identifying information separately in the title-page file or submission form.
- Abstract
- As set for the article type. Structured abstracts use the headings Background, Methods, Results and Conclusions.
- Keywords
- A short list of specific, searchable terms.
- Statistics and materials
- Describe statistical methods in enough detail for replication; report sample sizes and replication, give exact p-values where statistical tests are used, and name the software and version.
- Declarations
- Author contributions (CRediT), funding, conflicts of interest, ethics approval and consent where applicable, data availability and any use of AI tools.
- Cover letter
- States the article type and the relevance of the work to transgenics or genome editing, confirms that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere, and notes any preprint and any request for double-blind review.
- Language
- Clear English, with abbreviations defined at first use.
Reporting guidelines
Where a reporting guideline matches the design, report the study following it and upload the completed checklist as a supplementary file. The guidelines are available from the EQUATOR Network.
| Study design | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Animal research | ARRIVE 2.0 |
| Randomized trials | CONSORT |
| Observational studies | STROBE |
| Systematic reviews and meta-analyses | PRISMA 2020 |
| Qualitative research | SRQR or COREQ |
References, tables and figures
- Reference style
- Numbered in order of first citation. List the first five authors, then et al., and give a DOI or stable URL where one exists. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of references.
- Tables
- Numbered consecutively, each with a descriptive title; abbreviations and symbols explained in a footnote.
- Figures
- High resolution (at least 300 dpi) in TIFF, EPS, PNG or high-quality JPEG, with a caption for each figure and text that remains legible after reduction. Maps state their data sources.
- Supplementary files
- Numbered (for example, Supplementary Table S1), cited in the text and listed with short titles at the end of the manuscript. They are published as supplied, so they must be final and free of participant identifiers.
- Reused material
- Written permission from the copyright holder to reproduce or adapt published figures, tables or text, unless the material is already available under a license that permits reuse; the source is cited in the legend.
Reference examples
- Journal article
- Author AA, Author BB, Author CC, Author DD, Author EE, et al. (Year) Title of the article. Journal Name. Volume(Issue):pages. DOI: 10.xxxx/xxxxx
- Book
- Author AA, Author BB (Year) Title of the Book. Edition. Place of publication: Publisher.
- Report or webpage
- Organization Name (Year) Title of the report or page. URL (accessed Month Day, Year)
- Dataset
- Author AA, Author BB (Year) Title of the dataset. Version. Repository Name. DOI or accession number
- Preprint
- Author AA, Author BB (Year) Title of the preprint. Preprint Server Name [Preprint]. DOI: 10.xxxx/xxxxx
- Trial registration
- Sponsor or Principal Investigator (Year) Title of the trial. Registry Name. Registration number. Registered Month Day, Year. URL
Ethics and declarations
Each manuscript includes the statements below that apply to it. The full policies are set out in the Editorial Policies.
Human participants or material
Where the work involves human participants, identifiable data or human biological material, the name of the approving ethics committee or institutional review board, the approval reference number, and confirmation of informed consent, or a waiver documented by the ethics committee.
Biosafety and permits
Where applicable, the biosafety committee approval and the permits for work with genetically modified organisms, including plants.
Animal research
Approval from the institutional animal care and use committee or animal ethics committee with its reference number, compliance with animal-welfare regulations and the 3Rs, and reporting in line with the ARRIVE guidelines.
Constructs and sequences
Sequences of constructs, guide RNAs and primers, and the source of plasmids and lines, so that the work can be repeated.
Conflicts of interest and funding
All financial and non-financial interests of every author, each source of funding and the role of the funder.
Data availability
Every empirical research manuscript must include a data-availability statement. It explains where the data can be found or the conditions for access.
Use of AI tools
Any use of AI tools in writing, analysis or figure preparation, with the tool named and its use described. AI tools are not listed as authors.
Peer review and decisions
All submissions undergo initial editorial screening, including a similarity check with Crossref Similarity Check. Manuscripts that meet the journal's scope and minimum requirements proceed to independent peer review.
Single-blind by default; double-blind review is available on request.
Manuscripts that proceed to external peer review are normally evaluated by at least two independent subject-matter experts. Editorial decisions are based on scope, scientific quality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, reporting quality, and relevance to the journal.
Revised manuscripts are accompanied by a point-by-point response to the reviewers' comments. After acceptance, authors check the proofs, and the article is published open access under CC BY 4.0.
Fees
USD 1,200 article processing charge for every article type.
The article processing charge is payable only after acceptance; withdrawal after submission is subject to the journal's withdrawal policy.
No charge is made at submission. Fee-relief inquiries are considered case by case; contact the editorial office before or at submission. Full details are on the Article Processing Charges page.
Final checklist
A fuller checklist and the submission routes are on the Submit Manuscript page.
- The manuscript concerns transgenic organisms or genome editing and uses one of the article types above.
- The title page, abstract, keywords and main text follow the guidance for the article type.
- For double-blind review, the reviewer manuscript is anonymized and identifying information is in the title-page file.
- Ethics approval, consent or waiver, and trial registration are reported where applicable.
- The completed reporting checklist is attached where applicable.
- Declarations cover contributions, funding, conflicts of interest, data availability and AI use.
- Figures, tables and supplementary files are cited in the text, and permissions are in place for reused material.
- A cover letter accompanies the submission, which is made through one route only.
Author inquiries
Questions about preparing or submitting a manuscript can be sent to the editorial office at info@openaccesspub.org.