Charlotte Wang, PhD
Editor, Cell Metabolism
Executive Editor, Molecular Medicine
Cell Press
The Scientist as Editor:
A perspective from Cell Press
The Scientist as Editor: The Scientist as Editor:
A perspective from Cell PressA perspective from Cell Press
OverviewOverviewOverview
• Introduction: Dr. Charlotte Wang
• Cell and the Cell Press family of journals
• The role of the editorial team & the life cycle
of a paper at Cell Press
• Tips for authors: Picking a journal, and aims
& scope
• Tips for authors: The decision letter, and
responding to reviewers
• Language help and final tips
Brief bio – Charlotte Wang, Ph.D.Brief bio Brief bio –– Charlotte Wang, Ph.D.Charlotte Wang, Ph.D.
• A.B. University of California, Berkeley (Major:
Biochemistry)
• PhD M.I.T., Biology (thesis work: developmental
genetics of Drosophila)
• Hometown: San Francisco
• 7 years in science publishing; at Cell Press since
2004
• Editor, Cell Metabolism and Executive Editor,
Molecular Medicine
• Responsible for content of Cell Metabolism,
including scope, editorial board, editorial decisions.
Also oversee 2 additional review-format journals.
Total PhD staff: 4.
Photo
Introduction to Cell Press: overviewIntroduction to Cell Press: overviewIntroduction to Cell Press: overview
• The Cell Press family of journals
• Editorial structure
• Facts and figures: Cell, Cell
Metabolism
• Published articles from China
Cell Press CollectionCell Press CollectionCell Press Collection
New journals in 2007!New journals in 2007!New journals in 2007!
• Cell Host & Microbe
– Integrative microbial biology,
including microbe-microbe, -
host, and –enviroment
interactions
• Cell Stem Cell
– In affiliation with the
International Society for
Stem Cell Research
Cell Press Impact FactorsCell Press Impact FactorsCell Press Impact Factors
16.7Cell Metabolism (preliminary)
5.7Structure
6.7Chemistry & Biology
11.0Current Biology
13.9Neuron
13.5Developmental Cell
18.3Immunity
14.0Molecular Cell
24.1Cancer Cell
29.2Cell
Impact Factor,
2006Journal
Editorial StructureEditorial StructureEditorial Structure
• Contributors:
– Authors
– Reviewers
– Editorial Board
– Editors
– Publisher
The journal is a collaborative effort between all of
these. The overall goal is to serve the scientific
community by disseminating important
advances and promoting interdisciplinary
research.
• ~20 editorial and production staff
– 8 editors focusing on research articles
– 3 editors for Leading Edge
– 6 production staff/editors
– 2 scientific illustrators
– 1 editorial assistant
• About 5,000 active reviewers. In 2005, 1,460
of these reviewed manuscripts
Cell: Flagship of Cell PressCell: Flagship of Cell PressCell: Flagship of Cell Press
A few numbers from Cell MetabolismA few numbers from Cell MetabolismA few numbers from Cell Metabolism
• 2.5 PhD editors; half-time
reviews/commentary editor
• Cell Metabolism receives 40-
50 submissions/month
• About half of these are sent
out for peer review
• Of these, less than half are
eventually published.
• Overall acceptance rate: about
20%
Cell Metabolism submissions from ChinaCell Metabolism submissions from ChinaCell Metabolism submissions from China
For 2006-2007, acceptance rate
of Chinese manuscripts is
excellent:
4 papers published
of 18 submissions
(22% acceptance rate)
Papers from IBPPapers from IBPPapers from IBP
Role of editors & lifecycle of a paper: overviewRole of editors & lifecycle of a paper: overviewRole of editors & lifecycle of a paper: overview
• What sort of person makes a good editor?
• Daily tasks & editorial routine
• What we look for in papers
• How we deal with problems of language or
differences of opinion
Who are editors, and what do they do?Who are editors, and what do they do?Who are editors, and what do they do?
- PhD, nearly always with postdoctoral experience
- able to think about a broad range of topics
- interested in communication of broadly appealing
scientific stories
- able and willing to work under deadline
- primary responsibility is to evaluate manuscripts,
oversee peer review, and synthesize all that
information to make an editorial decision
The Daily Editorial MeetingThe Daily Editorial MeetingThe Daily Editorial Meeting
• Cell Metabolism team is 2.5
editors: Nikla Emambokus,
Nicole Fox-Tapper and
myself
• The team meets every
afternoon
• We survey new
submissions and assign to
an editor; discuss any
editorial decisions; plan
commissioned reviews and
essays
Evaluating & Reviewing SubmissionsEvaluating & Reviewing SubmissionsEvaluating & Reviewing Submissions
The editor:
• Reads it carefully, along with other
published literature in the field.
• Decides: Send out for review, or not?
• All decisions are discussed with the
team
• Returns some papers to authors with
an explanation
• Sends out strong papers to 2-3
reviewers
• I personally take charge of ~20
papers per month
What are we looking for?What are we looking for?What are we looking for?
• Is the paper within our topical scope?
• Does it address an interesting and
important question?
• Are the experiments logically designed?
Do the data tell a story? Are the
experiments well-controlled?
• Do the data provide compelling support for
the main conclusions?
• How do the findings advance the field
beyond what was previously known in the
literature?
More of what we look for…More of what we look forMore of what we look for……
• Do the data change the way we think
about a biological problem?
• Do the findings open up new avenues
of research, or provide definitive
answers to a long-standing debate?
• Will the findings be of interest to
those outside the immediate field?
Writing Style & Language: What we doWriting Style & Language: What we doWriting Style & Language: What we do
• No paper is ever rejected solely because of
language problems
• Editors evaluate the science even in an
awkwardly-worded paper
• If a paper seems strong scientifically, but the
language is awkward, editors may ask the author
to ask a native English speaker to help rewrite
• We strongly encourage authors to have a native
speaker review their papers before submission
When Reviewers DisagreeWhen Reviewers DisagreeWhen Reviewers Disagree
• Reviewers don’t always agree ---the ultimate decision is not
a simple count of votes “for” and “against”
• The editors evaluate the reviewers’ comments in much the
same way they evaluate the original manuscripts.
• Editors weigh in with their own opinions about the article.
• As editors, we must communicate the decision and the
reason clearly and constructively to the authors clearly and
constructively.
How we handle rebuttalsHow we handle rebuttalsHow we handle rebuttals
• Authors often feel the decision is in error
• At Cell Metabolism, we are open to considering
appeals when there is a legitimate claim that a
key aspect of the work has been misunderstood
• Authors should read the decision letters and
reviews carefully, focus on scientific issues and
send the editor a clear and concise explanation of
the relevant points and how they plan to address
them experimentally
• The editors may then consult additional reviewers,
contact the original reviewers for further advice or
stand by the original editorial decision.
Publishing PapersPublishingPublishing PapersPapers
• Cell Metabolism papers are
typically published within 4-8
weeks of acceptance.
• Our goal: provide highest-quality
production and figure reproduction.
• Production editors copy-edit for
grammar, Cell Press style and
formatting
• Cover is selected from authors’
submissions
• Online opportunities (Immediate
Early Publication and Featured
Articles)
• Annotated table of contents are
emailed when the issue comes out.
Tips for authors: overviewTips for authors: overviewTips for authors: overview
• Submitting your paper: aims & scope
• The decision letter, communicating with editors
and responding to reviewers
• Ethics for authors
• Help with language issues
• Final tips
The Cell Press CollectionThe Cell Press CollectionThe Cell Press CollectionThe Cell Press The Cell Press The Cell Press
Journal Aims & ScopeJournal Aims & ScopeJournal Aims & Scope
• Every journal has its own scope, readership, and style – study the
aims & scope, and read a few issues
• Cell Metabolism theme: homeostasis and underlying mechanisms,
with emphasis on whole-body physiology
• Common Cell Metab “story types”: “genetic animal model +
metabolic phenotype + some mechanism”, or “detailed molecular
insight into a key homeostatic process”
• Topics not in the journal mainstream can fall into a grey area,
where editorial discretion plays a role – example, IBP Cell Metab
papers – very quantitative & in vitro, but high scientific quality, and
the underlying process is key to glucose homeostasis
• Editorially, we aim to develop a clear theme and be consistent in
our decisions
Cell Press Journals & ScopesCell Press Journals & ScopesCell Press Journals & Scopes
Cell Metabolism publishes reports of novel results
in any area of metabolic biology, from molecular and
cellular biology to translational studies. The unifying
theme is homeostatic mechanisms in health and
disease, from simpler model systems all the way to the
clinic. Published work should not only be of exceptional
significance within its field, but also of interest to
researchers outside the immediate area.
Impact factor of this journal
2006: 16.710
Cell Press Journals & ScopesCell Press Journals & ScopesCell Press Journals & Scopes
Cell Published biweekly, Cell includes original research articles of
exceptional significance in areas including molecular biology,
biochemistry, cancer research, cell biology, developmental biology,
genetics, immunology, microbiology, neurobiology, plant biology,
structural biology and virology. Submitted articles are reviewed rapidly
for both technical quality and general interest, and, if accepted, are
published within eight weeks
Impact factor of this journal
2006: 29.194
Molecular Cell defines the field of molecular biology with a
relatively small number of significant papers, up to 15 articles per
issue. Coverage will extend from structure to human diseases,
concentrating on molecular analyses.
Impact factor of this journal
2006: 14.033
Cell Press Journals & ScopesCell Press Journals & ScopesCell Press Journals & Scopes
Cancer Cell publishes reports of novel results in any area of
cancer research, from molecular and cellular biology to clinical oncology.
The work should be not only of exceptional significance within its field
but also of interest to researchers outside the immediate area. In
addition, Cancer Cell findings in cancer research, diagnosis and
treatment
Impact factor of this journal
2006: 24.077
Developmental Cell will consider papers in any area of
cell biology and developmental biology. Examples of these include
cell proliferation, intracellular targeting, cell polarity, membrane
traffic, cell migration, stem cell biology, morphogenesis,
developmental roles of genes or pathways and differentiation. The
primary criterion for publication in Developmental Cell, as for all
Cell Press journals, is new biological insight.
Impact factor of this journal
2006: 13.523
Cell Press Journals & ScopesCell Press Journals & ScopesCell Press Journals & Scopes
Neuron The editors embrace interdisciplinary strategies which
integrate biophysical, cellular, developmental, and molecular
approaches with a systems approach to sensory, motor, and
higher-order cognitive functions. Neuron serves as one of the
premier intellectual forums of the entire neuroscience community.
Impact factor of this journal
2006: 13.894
Current Biology The journal delivers exciting primary
research from all areas of biology, from molecular biology to
evolution. Current Biology also features timely Dispatches -
commentary by leading experts on the latest advances - as well
as valuable full-length reviews and a vibrant magazine section
that includes news, analysis and opinion, profiles of leading
scientists and institutions, and informative, accessible guides to
notable topics in biology.
Impact factor of this journal
2006: 10.988
Cell Press Journals & ScopesCell Press Journals & ScopesCell Press Journals & Scopes
Chemistry & Biology publishes reports of novel
investigations in all areas at the interface of chemistry and biology.
Chemistry & Biology strongly encourages submission of articles in
which chemical tools are used to provide unique insight into
biological function and mechanism.
Impact factor of this journal
2006: 6.677
Immunity follows the example of Cell in defining criteria for
general interest that are just as important as technical quality in
deciding on the acceptability of submissions. The area of
interest is defined broadly beyond the obvious characterization
of immune genes and cells, effectively including any and all
research that contributes to understanding of infection and host
defenses.
Impact factor of this journal
2006: 18.306
The Decision LetterThe Decision LetterThe Decision Letter
• Read it carefully. These letters are written in
a somewhat stereotyped, but not always
obvious, way.
• If the possibility of resubmission is not
mentioned at all (or if it is a “final decision”),
the paper has been declined.
• If resubmission is hinted at or left as a
possible option, then very substantial
revision is a possibility.
The Decision Letter, continuedThe Decision Letter, continuedThe Decision Letter, continued
• If revision is explicitly invited, then you are in
good shape – but be sure to respond
substantively to all reviewer and editor
comments
• If the paper is accepted – congratulations!
• Don’t forget to read the letter VERY
CAREFULLY! Put it aside for a day or two,
then go back and read it again.
Point-by-point responsePointPoint--byby--point responsepoint response
If you are submitting a revised version, be sure to
include a detailed, point-by-point response of how
you have responded to the reviewers’ (and
editor’s, if relevant) comments.
You may
– Provide the requested data or make the correction
– Clarify or better discuss the point being raised
– (less frequent) – 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 (need to justify this)
Example author responsesExample author responsesExample author responses
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?”
Author: 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.”
Author: The calcium signal looks delayed in the kinetic studies because, as
mentioned, these experiments were performed at room temperature and
not in a thermostated environment.
More example author
responses
More example author More example author
responsesresponses
Reviewer: “The value of this paper would be greatly enhanced by
additional phenotyping of the mice. The results show that TAG, DAG
and ceramide levels are increased in livers with GENEQ
overexpression. In addition to the foregoing metabolites, long chain
acyl-CoAs have drawn considerable attention as potential mediators
of insulin resistance. Genotype-related changes in these metabolites
should be reported.”
Author: To address long chain fatty acyl CoAs, we have now collaborated with
Dr. XXX and researchers at XX University. The levels of the most abundant
species (C16:1, C18:1, C18:2) are higher in Liv-GENEQ mice than in WT
mice. The other acyl CoA species are either unchanged or almost
undetectable (see results section). These results indicate that increases in
hepatic unsaturated long-chain acyl CoAs do not induce insulin resistance
in our model. These data have been added to the revised manuscript. We
also added to the discussion speculation that increases in saturated, rather
than unsaturated, fatty acyl CoAs might provoke insulin resistance, since
saturated fatty acyl CoAs were not increased in Liv-GENEQ mice.
Reviewer: “The data in Fig 6 is, however, very hard to see.”
Author: We have made an effort to improve the quality of these images.
Ethics for authorsEthics for authorsEthics for authors
• Multiple submissions
• Redundant publications
• Plagiarism
• Data fabrication and falsification
• Improper use of human subjects and animals in research
• Improper author contribution
Adherence to these guidelines is ESSENTIAL, as they
underlie the integrity of peer-reviewed scientific work.
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Some final tipsSome final tipsSome final tips
• Take the time when planning your project to think about
what question you are asking, and what the best way is to
ask it.
• For this task, it’s important to read the existing literature,
and equally important to stay atop the current literature.
• Journals are looking for STORIES that advance our
knowledge.
• Don’t write your paper in “chronological” order.
• Be sure to include a well-researched introduction, and
insightful discussion.
• If your paper is in a “small” field, or is on the fringes of the
scope of a journal, suggesting qualified reviewers can be
helpful.
Thank you
Questions?