Integrative Biology

1.0 General policy

Integrative Biology provides a unique venue for research that allows a greater understanding of biological processes and mechanisms through the use of quantitative approaches and enabling technologies. It aims to drive forward discovery and analysis within biology through the quantitative elucidation of basic biological phenomena and processes which can allow us to: view, interrogate and investigate molecules as well as cells or their contents; model accurately how these processes/systems work; investigate and model complexity; and engineer new solutions to biological problems.

Integrative Biology is an inter- and multidisciplinary journal, utilising enabling quantitative technologies, both experimental and computational to characterise biological systems at the molecular and cellular levels through the exploitation of the convergence of biology with physics, chemistry, engineering, imaging and informatics. The journal welcomes Critical, Tutorial and Mini-reviews; Primary Research papers (including fundamental and theoretical papers); and Perspectives. Manuscripts should be written such that they are accessible to scientists in all disciplines associated with the journal and highlight, both in the abstract and at the end of the introduction, the novel features and explain the significance of the work and likely impact on relevant communities.

Submissions should provide new knowledge or elucidate novel mechanisms on biological processes from the molecular to the organism scale obtained through the innovative application of technology. Studies that would typically be covered by Integrative Biology include:

• Studying rare or disease-specific cells using new or improved methods, technologies or devices
• Analysis and imaging of mechanical signal transduction
• Innovative applications of imaging across scales
• Biochemical gradients to study migration and chemotaxis
• Devices/systems that recapitulate in vivo structure/function
• Engineered/synthetic micro and nanoenvironments to understand cell-matrix signalling
• Micro and nanofluidics to study mammalian cells
• Nanofluidics to study polymer properties (protein structure/function, DNA replication repair)
• Integrative modelling of molecular, cellular or tissue processes
• Devices and technologies for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring disease
• Cell sub-type identification/measurement
• Nanotechnologies, devices and systems for exploring and elucidating biological systems
• Synthetic biology
• Design and re-engineering of biological systems
• Prediction of dynamic behaviour and effectiveness of drugs
• Systems to monitor and optimise therapeutics in vivo
• High-throughput approaches for systems biology
• New miniaturised platforms for elucidating biological events and processes
• Biomimetic systems
• Quantitative models of cell-cell communication
• Quantification of extracellular analytes related to cellular processes
• Biological phenomena and processes at the nanoscale
• Validation of novel technologies against current "standards/tradition"
• Single cells-metabolic systems and mechanisms
• Metabolism of cells, proteins, amines, tissues, antibodies etc. 

Full papers in Integrative Biology will be assessed by reviewers on the following three categories:

• Insight: What contribution does the paper make to our insight on the biological mechanism/process/phenomena explored?
• Innovation: To what extent does the technology used enable the biological insight?
• Integration: To what extent does the paper demonstrate integration of technology and biology?