- Journal of Transgenics
- Open access · CC BY 4.0
Aims and Scope
The Journal of Transgenics publishes research on transgenic organisms and genome editing, including basic and applied studies across mammals, birds, fish and plants.
What the journal sets out to do
- To publish rigorous research on how genes are transferred into organisms, edited, regulated and expressed, and on the transgenic and genome-edited organisms that result.
- To report methods, tools and resources, including vectors, delivery systems, editing technologies and characterization approaches, that other laboratories can use and reproduce.
- To bring together basic and applied studies in mammals, birds, fish and plants, from the mechanisms of gene function to uses in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology.
- To make this research openly available, so that researchers, practitioners and educators can read and reuse it freely.
Research areas
JTR considers basic and applied research on transgenic organisms and genome editing across mammals, birds, fish and plants. The areas below are illustrative, not a closed list:
- Vector design and gene delivery
- Viral and non-viral delivery systems
- Transposon systems and integration sites
- CRISPR-Cas systems, base editors and prime editors
- TALENs and zinc finger nucleases
- Off-target analysis and editing specificity
- Promoters, enhancers and transgene expression
- Epigenetic effects and transgene silencing
- RNA-based regulation of gene expression
- Transgenic and knockout mammalian models
- Avian transgenesis and germline manipulation
- Fish models and fluorescent reporter lines
- Plant transformation, regeneration and trait stability
- Germline transmission, inheritance and stability
- Genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic characterization
- Imaging, sequencing and bioinformatic methods
- Gene therapy and disease models
- Transgenic crops and livestock
- Biosafety, environmental management and regulation
- Genetics, molecular biology and biotechnology of transgenic systems
A topic that is not named above is within scope when it concerns a transgenic or genome-edited organism, or the technology used to make or study one.
Studies and approaches welcomed
JTR considers experimental, computational and methodological research. Studies are reported within the article types listed below.
- Mechanistic studies
- Studies of gene function, regulation and expression in transgenic or genome-edited organisms and cells.
- Model generation
- Generation and validation of transgenic, knockout and knock-in lines, with their phenotypes and inheritance.
- Technology development
- New or improved vectors, delivery methods, editing tools and reporter systems, with evidence of performance.
- Applied research
- Uses of transgenic and genome-edited organisms in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology.
- Characterization
- Genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and imaging analyses of transgenic and edited lines.
- Computational studies
- Bioinformatic tools and analyses for design, off-target prediction and interpretation of editing outcomes.
- Evidence synthesis
- Reviews that organize and evaluate published work on a defined topic in transgenics or genome editing.
- Datasets
- Descriptions of datasets, constructs and resources of value to the field, with their collection, quality and access.
What makes a manuscript a fit
Manuscripts are assessed for their relevance to transgenic organisms and genome editing, the soundness of their methods and whether their conclusions are proportionate to the evidence.
-
Animal and plant work
Studies using animals report the ethical approval obtained, and the reporting guidelines that apply to the work. Studies of plants report the permits and biosafety approvals that apply.
-
Reproducibility
Methods and protocols are described in enough detail to be repeated. Constructs, sequences and datasets are shared as set out in the Instructions for Authors.
-
Commentary
Commentaries are accepted when they make a reasoned argument, supported by evidence and cited sources, on a question in transgenics or genome editing.
Article types
The journal publishes the article types below. Guidance on the structure, abstract and reporting standard for each type is given in the Instructions for Authors.
- Original ResearchEmpirical studies of transgenic organisms and genome editing, basic or applied.
- ReviewCritical and balanced reviews of a defined topic in transgenics or genome editing.
- Methods and ProtocolsNew, adapted or validated methods and step-by-step protocols that others can reproduce.
- Short CommunicationConcise reports of a focused or preliminary finding of clear importance to the field.
- Data NoteDescriptions of datasets and resources of value to the field, their collection, quality and access.
- CommentaryEvidence-based argument on a current question in the field or on published research.
Where a manuscript sits between types, authors choose the closest type and explain the choice in the cover letter, and the editors confirm the classification.
Scope questions
Is my topic within scope?
A manuscript is within scope when it concerns a transgenic or genome-edited organism, or the technology used to make or study one. If you are unsure, send the title and abstract to the editorial office at [email protected] before submitting.
Does JTR consider applied research?
Yes. Basic and applied research are both considered, in mammals, birds, fish and plants.
Are studies in cell culture within scope?
They are considered when they address gene transfer, genome editing or the function of transgenes, and when the findings are relevant to transgenic organisms.
Can I submit work that has been posted as a preprint?
Yes. Posting a preprint is compatible with submission to JTR. Cite the preprint and its DOI in the cover letter.
Preparing a submission
Read the Instructions for Authors and the Editorial Policies before submitting.