Current Biology

Current Biology. It is a prominent biweekly scientific journal that publishes original research across all areas of biology. Established in 1991, the journal is owned by Cell Press, a subsidiary of Elsevier, and is renowned for its rapid publication of high-impact findings. It serves as a critical forum for communicating advances in the life sciences to a broad, interdisciplinary audience.

History and background

The journal was launched in 1991 by the newly founded Current Science Group, with its editorial offices based in London. Its creation was part of a movement to provide faster publication of significant biological research compared to more traditional, slower-paced journals. In 1998, the Current Science Group was renamed Current Biology Ltd., and in 1999, the group launched the sister journal Chemistry & Biology. A pivotal moment occurred in 2000 when the group was acquired by Elsevier, and the journal's publishing operations were integrated with those of Cell Press. Under the leadership of editors such as Deborah Sweet and later Geoffrey North, it has maintained its commitment to swift dissemination while upholding rigorous scientific standards, evolving alongside digital publishing trends.

Scope and content

The journal covers a vast spectrum of biological disciplines, including but not limited to cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, neuroscience, ecology, and evolution. It publishes several article types, with primary research appearing as "Reports" and "Articles," while "Dispatches" provide short summaries of recent developments in other journals. Other regular features include "Quick Guides," "Primers," and "Magazine" sections, which offer accessible commentary on broader scientific issues. Notable published work has spanned groundbreaking studies in CRISPR gene editing, animal behavior, climate change impacts on ecosystems, and fundamental mechanisms in cancer biology, often featuring research from institutions like the Max Planck Society, Harvard University, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Editorial processes

The editorial team is led by the Editor-in-Chief, Geoffrey North, and operates under the publishing umbrella of Cell Press. Manuscripts undergo a rigorous single-blind peer review process, where reviewers are anonymous to the authors. A key feature is its emphasis on rapid decision-making, with initial editorial decisions often made within a week of submission for papers deemed of high priority. The journal utilizes an online submission system, and its editorial board comprises active scientists from leading global institutions such as Stanford University, the University of Cambridge, and the Janelia Research Campus. This structure ensures that editorial decisions are informed by cutting-edge expertise across the biological sciences.

Abstracting and indexing

The journal is extensively covered by major academic indexing services. It is abstracted and indexed in services including the Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Chemical Abstracts Service. According to the Journal Citation Reports, it receives a high number of annual citations, contributing to its significant impact factor. Its inclusion in these core databases, particularly those maintained by Clarivate and the National Library of Medicine, ensures its content is readily accessible to researchers in biomedical research, academia, and related industrial sectors worldwide.

Impact and reception

Widely regarded as one of the leading journals in biology, it is known for publishing influential and timely research. Its impact factor, consistently ranking highly in the "Biology" category of the Journal Citation Reports, reflects its stature within the scientific community. The journal has been the source of numerous highly cited papers that have shaped fields like genomics, synthetic biology, and conservation biology. It is considered a selective publication venue, and publishing in it is often seen as a mark of research quality. The journal's format, which blends primary research with educational and commentary content, has been praised for effectively serving both specialized researchers and a broader scientific audience.

Category:English-language journals Category:Biology journals Category:Cell Press academic journals Category:Publications established in 1991