Metallomics
1.0 Scope and Standards
Metallomics publishes original research and topical reviews, which provide insight into the role of metals in the life sciences. Articles are encouraged in the following areas:
- Chemical speciation, dynamics and kinetics of trace elements in biological systems
- Elemental distributions and concentrations linked to the genome
- Regulation of the uptake, accumulation and metabolism of metals and other trace elements in biological systems
- Physiological and pathological mechanisms related to trace elements in human health and disease
- Structural analysis and coregulation of elements within the metallome, including the survey and identification of metalloproteins/enzymes
- Genetic and molecular genetic basis for regulation of metallomes and epigenetic factors relative to the organism
- The interaction of metallodrugs, including chemotherapy agents, with biological organisms, including in clinical use
- Metal exchange between biota and the environment
- Bioimaging and biosensing of metals, including analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic radioactive metals
- Certified reference materials for biological applications
All contributions are judged on originality, quality of scientific content and appropriateness of length to content of new science.
2.0 Article Types
2.1 Communications
These must report preliminary research findings that are highly original, of immediate interest and are likely to have a high impact on the metallomics community. Communications are given priority treatment, are fast-tracked through the publication process and appear prominently at the front of the journal in a dedicated Communications section. Authors should provide at the time of submission a short paragraph explaining why their work justifies urgent publication as a Communication. Ideally, a Full Paper in Metallomics should follow each Communication. There is no page limit for communications in Metallomics , however the length should be commensurate with scientific content. Authors are encouraged to make full use of Electronic Supplementary Information in order to present more concise articles.
2.2 Full Papers
These must represent a significant development in the particular area and are judged according to originality, quality of scientific content and contribution to existing knowledge. Although there is no page limit for Full Papers, appropriateness of length to content of new science will taken into consideration.
2.3 Review Articles
Metallomics publishes a range of review articles. Potential writers should contact the Editorial Office before embarking on their work.
2.3.1 Critical Review
Critical reviews are definitive, comprehensive reviews but must also provide a critical evaluation of the chosen topic area. Authors should try to be selective in the choice of material, whilst still aim to cover all the important work in the field, also indicating possible future developments.
2.3.2 Mini Review
Mini reviews are highlights or summaries of research in an emerging area of analytical science covering approximately the last 2-3 years. Given topics should review work no more than approximately 36 months old, and articles should cover only the most interesting/significant developments in that specific subject area. The articles should be highly critical and selective in referencing published work. A small amount of speculation of possible future developments may also be appropriate in the Conclusions section.
2.3.3 Tutorial Review
Tutorial reviews are written from a personal point of view, and ideally should be the first review of a new significant area, bringing together the results of various primary publications. Tutorial reviews are intended to interest a large number of readers and should be written at a level that could be understood by an advanced undergraduate student. The intention is to increase awareness and understanding of the chosen topic area for workers/researchers already involved in the field, workers changing the direction/emphasis of their work and a broad based non-specialist (graduate and post-graduate) audience, with a view to informing them of the most recent developments in the area.
2.3.4 Perspective
Perspectives are written at a philosophical level either on a particular aspect of analytical spectroscopy or on a topic of relevance or potential relevance to the community. The article should be easily understandable to a non-specialist in the field. At the same time, Perspectives should provide an authoritative discussion of the area concerned. Authors are encouraged to identify areas where further developments are imminent, in urgent need of being addressed, and any areas that may be of significance to the analytical science community in general.
2.4 Comments
These are a medium for the discussion and exchange of scientific opinions concerning material published in Metallomics. Submitted Comments will normally be forwarded to the authors of the work being discussed, and these authors will be given the opportunity to submit a reply for publication together with the Comment. For publication of a Comment or a Reply, they must be judged by the referees to be scientifically significant and of interest to the readership of Metallomics. Comments and replies will be reviewed in the normal way, but additional referees will be consulted if there is an unresolved disagreement between correspondents, or where there is doubt as to the significance of the Comment or Reply. Comments should be brief and should not normally exceed a length of one printed journal page. Publication will take place only when all parties have had an opportunity to respond appropriately.