Aims & Scope
Core Research Domains
Genomic & Molecular Biomarkers
- Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for biomarker identification
- Genomic profiling and variant analysis
- Epigenomic signatures and methylation patterns
- Gene expression profiling and transcriptomics
- Proteomic and metabolomic biomarker discovery
- Multi-omics integration for molecular stratification
"Identification and validation of a 12-gene signature for predicting chemotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer using RNA-seq analysis of 450 tumor samples."
Pharmacogenomics & Drug Response
- Pharmacogenetic variant discovery and functional validation
- Drug metabolism gene polymorphisms (CYP450, transporters)
- Genetic predictors of adverse drug reactions
- Pharmacoproteomics and drug-target interactions
- Dose optimization algorithms based on genetic profiles
- Companion diagnostic biomarker development
"Functional characterization of novel CYP2D6 variants and development of a genotype-guided dosing algorithm for antidepressant therapy validated in 800 patients."
Precision Diagnostics & Assay Development
- Liquid biopsy technologies and circulating biomarkers
- Next-generation sequencing assay development
- Point-of-care molecular diagnostic platforms
- Biomarker assay validation and standardization
- Microbiome profiling for disease stratification
- Imaging biomarkers and radiogenomics
"Development and analytical validation of a droplet digital PCR assay for detecting EGFR mutations in circulating tumor DNA with 0.1% sensitivity threshold."
Computational Biology & Predictive Modeling
- Machine learning for biomarker signature development
- Predictive algorithms for treatment response
- Network biology and pathway analysis
- Bioinformatics pipelines for multi-omics data integration
- Risk stratification models using molecular data
- Artificial intelligence in biomarker validation
"Random forest algorithm integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and clinical data to predict immunotherapy response with 85% accuracy in melanoma cohort (n=600)."
Secondary Focus Areas
Biostatistics & Study Design
Novel statistical methods for biomarker validation, sample size calculations, and clinical trial design incorporating molecular stratification.
Translational Biomarker Research
Bridging discovery and clinical application through rigorous validation studies, analytical performance assessment, and clinical utility evaluation frameworks.
Disease-Specific Biomarkers
Molecular signatures for oncology, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, rare diseases, and infectious diseases—focused on discovery and validation.
Targeted Drug Discovery
Biomarker-guided drug development, patient selection strategies for clinical trials, and molecular mechanisms of therapeutic resistance.
Health Informatics
Electronic health record integration of molecular data, data standards for biomarker reporting, and interoperability frameworks for precision medicine databases.
Regulatory Science
Biomarker qualification frameworks, regulatory pathways for companion diagnostics, and evidence requirements for molecular test approval.
Emerging Research Frontiers
Explicitly Out of Scope
We Do NOT Consider
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Clinical Treatment Guidelines & Protocols
Rationale: Our focus is biomarker science, not clinical practice. Studies describing treatment algorithms, dosing protocols, or patient management strategies without novel biomarker discovery/validation are outside scope.
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Clinical Diagnosis & Disease Management
Rationale: We publish biomarker research, not clinical decision-making studies. Papers focused on diagnostic accuracy in clinical settings without molecular innovation are not suitable.
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Patient Outcomes & Health Services Research
Rationale: Studies evaluating clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, or healthcare delivery models without biomarker discovery/validation components belong in clinical or health services journals.
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Lifestyle Interventions Without Molecular Endpoints
Rationale: Personalized nutrition, exercise programs, or behavioral interventions must include rigorous molecular biomarker analysis. Purely clinical or behavioral studies are out of scope.
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Patient Engagement & Empowerment Studies
Rationale: While important, research on patient-centered care, shared decision-making, or patient education without biomarker science components does not fit our molecular focus.
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Expedited Review (3-4 weeks)
- Original Research Articles (biomarker discovery/validation)
- Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
- Methods & Protocols (novel assays, computational tools)
- Validation Studies (analytical/clinical performance)
Regular Review (5-7 weeks)
- Short Communications (preliminary findings)
- Data Notes (datasets, biomarker databases)
- Perspectives & Commentaries (expert analysis)
- Technical Notes (assay optimization, protocols)
Selective Acceptance
- Case Reports (only with novel biomarker insights)
- Opinion Pieces (by invitation only)
- Hypothesis Articles (must include preliminary data)
- Conference Abstracts (not accepted)
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
STARD for diagnostics, REMARK for prognostic biomarkers, TRIPOD for prediction models, MIQE for qPCR, ARRIVE for animal studies
Data Transparency
Raw data deposition required (GEO, SRA, ProteomeXchange). Code availability for computational studies. Supplementary validation datasets encouraged.
Ethics & Compliance
IRB/ethics approval required for human samples. IACUC approval for animal studies. Informed consent documentation. GDPR compliance for EU data.
Preprint Policy
Preprints on bioRxiv, medRxiv accepted. Must be disclosed at submission. Final version must acknowledge preprint DOI.
Decision Metrics & Performance
Ready to Submit?
If your research advances biomarker science through rigorous discovery, validation, or methodological innovation, we want to hear from you.
Contact Editorial Office
