Reviewer' Guidelines
The Applied Cell Biology Journal greatly values the essential role reviewers play in maintaining the high standards of the journal. Your thoughtful, objective, and constructive feedback is critical in ensuring the quality, integrity, and relevance of published research.
Manuscripts are evaluated based on their originality, scientific rigor, and potential to contribute new insights that advance research progress or influence clinical practice. It is understood that all authors listed on a manuscript have agreed to its submission, and the signature of the corresponding author on the letter of submission confirms that these conditions have been met.
Upon receipt, manuscripts are initially reviewed by the editorial office. Submissions deemed unsuitable for publication at this stage may be returned without external review. Manuscripts that do not follow the journal’s formatting guidelines will be sent back to the authors for correction before further consideration. Once a manuscript is assigned to an editor, the authors will be notified and provided with a reference number. The editor will then send the manuscript to 2–4 independent experts for thorough scientific evaluation. The peer review process typically takes between 2 to 3 weeks.
Reviewers are kindly asked to keep all manuscripts confidential and to avoid sharing or discussing them with others. Any use of manuscript content for personal or professional purposes is not permitted. Should you encounter any potential conflict of interest—whether personal, financial, or professional—we kindly ask that you inform the editorial office or decline the review.
We follow the ethical standards of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We appreciate reviewers' diligence in reporting any ethical concerns, such as suspected plagiarism, data irregularities, or issues related to human or animal research ethics. Feedback should always be constructive, courteous, and aimed at helping authors improve their work.
When reviewing, please consider the manuscript’s originality, scientific merit, clarity, ethical compliance, and its relevance to the journal’s scope. A well-rounded review typically includes a concise summary of the manuscript, constructive comments on major and minor points, and a clear recommendation regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection.
Timeliness is important to the review process. We kindly request that reviews be submitted within 2 to 3 weeks of acceptance. If more time is needed, we appreciate early communication with the editorial office.
Editors involved in any submission—whether as authors or through personal or professional associations—do not participate in decisions about those papers. Such submissions are handled independently to ensure impartiality in the peer review process.
We are sincerely grateful for the expertise and time our reviewers dedicate. Reviewers may request certificates of contribution, and we acknowledge their valuable service annually, with consent.
For any questions or further assistance, please contact the editorial office at editor@appliedcellbiology.com.