Cell (journal)

Cell (journal)
Title	Cell
Discipline	Biology, Cell biology, Molecular biology
Editor	John S. K. Kauwe
Publisher	Cell Press (Elsevier)
Country	United States
History	1974–present
Frequency	Biweekly
Impact year	2022
Impact	64.5
ISSN	0092-8674

Cell (journal). It is a premier peer-reviewed scientific journal published biweekly by Cell Press, a subsidiary of Elsevier. Founded in 1974, it covers a broad spectrum of life sciences with a particular emphasis on cell biology, molecular biology, and related interdisciplinary fields. The journal is renowned for publishing high-impact research and has become one of the most influential publications in the biological sciences.

History

The journal was established in 1974 by Benjamin Lewin, who served as its founding editor. Its creation was inspired by the need for a dedicated forum for the rapidly advancing field of cell biology, which was gaining prominence following key discoveries in molecular genetics and biochemistry. Initially published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press, it was later acquired by Elsevier and became the flagship title of the newly formed Cell Press imprint in 1999. Under the leadership of subsequent editors-in-chief like Emilie Marcus and John S. K. Kauwe, it has expanded its scope while maintaining a focus on mechanistic biological insight.

Scope and impact

The journal publishes original research across a wide array of disciplines, including developmental biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, structural biology, and cancer biology. It is particularly known for featuring studies that provide fundamental mechanistic understanding or present groundbreaking technological advances, such as CRISPR gene editing and single-cell sequencing. Its impact factor, consistently among the highest for primary research journals, reflects its stature; for example, a 2022 Clarivate report listed it at 64.5. The journal's influence extends beyond academia, often informing research directions at institutions like the National Institutes of Health and biotech companies such as Genentech.

Editorial process

The editorial process is rigorous and highly selective, with a majority of submitted manuscripts rejected without full peer review. The editorial team, based at Cell Press headquarters, includes professional scientific editors with advanced degrees who manage the review process. Submissions are initially evaluated for novelty, significance, and broad interest before being sent for external review by experts in fields like biophysics or computational biology. The journal also publishes companion pieces, including Previews and Reviews, often commissioned from leading scientists like Jennifer Doudna or Svante Pääbo.

Notable articles

Throughout its history, the journal has published numerous seminal papers that have shaped modern biology. A landmark 1977 article by Phillip Sharp and Richard Roberts on RNA splicing was pivotal for understanding gene expression. In 1985, a paper on the homeobox gene cluster by Walter Gehring advanced the field of evolutionary developmental biology. More recently, groundbreaking work on optogenetics by Karl Deisseroth and on the human microbiome by researchers at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory have appeared in its pages. These articles are frequently cited in textbooks and have been recognized by awards like the Nobel Prize.

Awards and recognition

The journal and the research it publishes have received widespread recognition. Many authors of papers have been honored with major scientific awards, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the Lasker Award, and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. The journal itself has received accolades for its design and publishing standards from organizations like the Association of American Publishers. It is consistently ranked as the top journal in the Cell Biology category by Journal Citation Reports.

Related publications

Cell Press publishes a family of related journals that focus on more specialized areas, creating a comprehensive portfolio. These include Neuron for neuroscience, Immunity for immunology, Cancer Cell for oncology, and Molecular Cell for biochemistry. Other sister journals include Cell Stem Cell, Cell Reports, and Chem. This network allows the publisher to cover the entire spectrum of contemporary life sciences research, from fundamental biophysics to translational medicine.

Category:Cell Press academic journals Category:English-language scientific journals Category:Publications established in 1974