Journal of Cell Biology

Journal of Cell Biology is a major peer-reviewed scientific periodical that publishes original research across all aspects of cell biology. Established in 1955, it is published by the Rockefeller University Press and has been a cornerstone publication for disseminating fundamental discoveries in cellular structure and function. The journal is renowned for its rigorous editorial standards and has featured landmark studies that have shaped modern understanding of cellular processes.

History and background

The publication was founded in 1955 under the editorial leadership of Raymond B. Griffiths, with its first issue released by the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, now known as Rockefeller University. Its creation responded to the growing need for a dedicated forum for the emerging field of cell biology, distinct from broader biochemistry or genetics journals. Early editorial boards included prominent figures like Keith R. Porter and George E. Palade, whose pioneering work on electron microscopy and cell fractionation helped define the journal's focus on cellular ultrastructure. Over the decades, it has been edited by influential scientists such as Marilyn Gist Farquhar and Ira Mellman, maintaining its prestige through the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory symposia era and the molecular biology revolution.

Scope and editorial policies

The journal's scope encompasses all areas of cellular research, including cytoskeleton dynamics, membrane trafficking, cell adhesion, nuclear transport, cell division, and signal transduction. It operates under a strict peer-review process managed by an international board of editors, currently led by Editor-in-Chief Jodi Nunnari. Editorial policies emphasize mechanistic insight and technical rigor, requiring authors to provide extensive data sets, including full microscopy images and statistical analyses. The publication adheres to guidelines set by organizations like the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and mandates data sharing in repositories such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Abstracting, indexing, and impact

It is abstracted and indexed in major services including PubMed, Scopus, the Science Citation Index, and the Chemical Abstracts Service. According to the Journal Citation Reports, it has consistently maintained a high impact factor, reflecting its influence within the American Society for Cell Biology community and broader life sciences. Its articles are frequently cited in foundational texts and by leading research institutions like the Max Planck Institute and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The publication's long-term archive is preserved in digital formats by JSTOR and Portico.

Notable articles and contributions

The journal has published numerous seminal papers that have become classics in cell biology. These include the 1974 article by Bruce Alberts and colleagues on the T4 bacteriophage replication apparatus, pivotal work on clathrin-coated vesicles by Barbara Pearse, and groundbreaking studies on apoptosis by H. Robert Horvitz. Other landmark contributions detailed the discovery of kinesin motor proteins by Ronald Vale, insights into Golgi apparatus function from the laboratory of James Rothman, and elucidation of nuclear pore complex architecture by David J. Forbes. These studies have been recognized by awards such as the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research.

Access and publication model

It operates on a hybrid open-access model, where all content becomes freely available through the PubMed Central database six months after publication. Immediate open access is available to authors who choose to pay an article processing charge. The publication is a founding member of the CrossRef system and participates in initiatives like Plan S to broaden access. Digital editions are hosted on the HighWire Press platform, and print subscriptions are distributed globally. The publisher, Rockefeller University Press, also produces related titles like the Journal of Experimental Medicine and the Journal of General Physiology.

Category:Cell biology journals Category:Publications established in 1955 Category:Rockefeller University