Aims & Scope
Advanced Cytology publishes fundamental research on cellular and molecular mechanisms governing cell structure, function, and behavior at the molecular level. We focus on basic science investigations that advance understanding of cellular processes through molecular, biochemical, and genomic approaches.
Core Research Domains
Molecular Cell Biology
- Gene expression regulation and transcriptional control mechanisms
- Protein synthesis, folding, and post-translational modifications
- RNA processing, splicing, and non-coding RNA functions
- DNA replication, repair, and recombination pathways
- Chromatin structure and epigenetic modifications
- Molecular mechanisms of cell cycle regulation
"Elucidating the role of histone methylation in transcriptional silencing during cell differentiation using ChIP-seq and CRISPR-based epigenome editing"
Cell Signaling & Communication
- Signal transduction pathways and kinase cascades
- Receptor-ligand interactions and membrane receptor dynamics
- Second messenger systems and calcium signaling
- G-protein coupled receptor mechanisms
- Cell-cell communication and gap junction function
- Molecular basis of cellular responses to external stimuli
"Characterizing MAPK pathway activation dynamics in response to growth factor stimulation using live-cell imaging and phosphoproteomics"
Cellular Metabolism & Bioenergetics
- Metabolic pathway regulation and enzyme kinetics
- Mitochondrial function and oxidative phosphorylation
- Glycolysis, TCA cycle, and metabolic flux analysis
- Lipid metabolism and membrane biogenesis
- Metabolic heterogeneity and single-cell metabolomics
- Nutrient sensing and metabolic adaptation mechanisms
"Investigating metabolic reprogramming during cellular stress using isotope tracing and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics"
Cytoskeleton & Cell Motility
- Actin dynamics and polymerization mechanisms
- Microtubule organization and motor protein function
- Intermediate filament structure and assembly
- Cell adhesion molecules and focal adhesion dynamics
- Molecular mechanisms of cell migration and motility
- Cytoskeletal regulation of organelle positioning
"Defining the role of Rho GTPases in actin polymerization during lamellipodia formation using FRET-based biosensors and super-resolution microscopy"
Secondary Focus Areas
Omics Technologies
- Genomics and transcriptomics approaches
- Proteomics and protein interaction networks
- Metabolomics and lipidomics profiling
- Single-cell multi-omics integration
- Systems biology and computational modeling
Molecular Techniques
- CRISPR-based genome and epigenome editing
- Advanced microscopy and imaging methods
- Flow cytometry and cell sorting technologies
- Molecular cloning and recombinant protein expression
- Biophysical methods for protein characterization
Cellular Processes
- Apoptosis and programmed cell death pathways
- Autophagy and protein degradation mechanisms
- Cell division and mitotic regulation
- Membrane trafficking and vesicle transport
- Organelle biogenesis and function
Molecular Interactions
- Protein-protein interaction networks
- Protein-DNA and protein-RNA binding
- Enzyme-substrate interactions and catalysis
- Molecular chaperones and protein quality control
- Biomolecular condensates and phase separation
Out of Scope
Pap smear interpretation, cytopathology diagnosis, clinical cytology protocols. Rationale: Focus is on basic mechanisms, not diagnostic applications.
Clinical trials, therapeutic efficacy, patient survival analysis. Rationale: We publish molecular mechanisms, not clinical endpoints.
Histopathology, tissue architecture, morphological descriptions. Rationale: Scope limited to molecular and cellular levels.
Dermatopathology, hematopathology, forensic pathology, veterinary pathology. Rationale: Clinical subspecialties outside molecular biology focus.
Psychopathology, neurotology (clinical aspects). Rationale: Not within molecular/cellular biology scope.
Plant pathology (agricultural focus). Rationale: Journal focuses on animal cell molecular biology.
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Fast-Track
Novel mechanistic insights, comprehensive methodology validation, or systematic synthesis of molecular mechanisms. Expedited review within 21 days for high-quality submissions demonstrating significant advances in cellular or molecular understanding.
Standard
Preliminary findings, datasets with reuse potential, expert commentary on emerging topics, or technical innovations. Standard review process with decision within 35 days. Must demonstrate clear molecular or cellular relevance.
Accepted only when presenting exceptional molecular insights or paradigm-shifting conceptual frameworks. Clinical case reports without molecular mechanistic investigation are not considered. Authors should contact editors before submission.
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- ARRIVE guidelines for animal studies
- MIQE guidelines for qPCR experiments
- PRISMA for systematic reviews
- STROBE for observational studies
- Appropriate statistical reporting and power analysis
- Complete methodology with reproducibility details
Data & Materials
- Raw data deposition in public repositories
- Omics data in GEO, ProteomeXchange, or MetaboLights
- Structural data in PDB or EMDB
- Code availability for computational analyses
- Reagent sharing and material transfer agreements
- Cell line authentication and mycoplasma testing
Ethics & Integrity
- Institutional review board approval for human samples
- Animal care committee approval (IACUC)
- Informed consent documentation
- Conflict of interest disclosure
- Adherence to COPE guidelines
- Image integrity and manipulation policies
Preprint & Prior Publication
- Preprints on bioRxiv, medRxiv accepted
- Conference abstracts do not preclude submission
- Thesis chapters acceptable with disclosure
- No duplicate submission to other journals
- Overlapping publications must be declared
- Preprint DOI should be provided at submission
Decision Metrics
Ready to Submit?
If your research advances molecular or cellular understanding through mechanistic investigation, we invite your submission. For scope inquiries or pre-submission questions, contact our editorial office.
Contact Editorial Office
