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Editor, Neuron
Executive Editor, Neuroscience-Cell Press
kbrose@cell.com
Overview of Talk
Biophysical Society
Cell Press History
Cell founded in 1974 at MIT Press
My background:
PhD in Biochemistry/Neuroscience-UCSF
• Is the journal widely read by the people you want to see the
paper?
• 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
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.
• Use cover letter to explain the your question and why it’s
important
Authors
Reviewers
Editorial Board
Editors
Publisher
• 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?”
The additional experiments added to this revised edition identify that the mtGTP
signal 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 andunspent
when mtGTP is low (Fig. 6c).
Reviewer: “…the Ca2+ signal looks rather delayed as well as modest and it is
difficult to reconcile such a response with the pronounced effect on insulin
release.”
numbers of submissions from China are still small (4% total), but
growing
2007 15
2008 22
2009** 8
(**first 8 months 2009)
Cell Press in China:
Submission relative to other countries
NEURON
Developmental Cell
Cell
Immunity
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!