Gene

Gene publishes papers that focus on the regulation, expression, function, and evolution of genes in all biological contexts, including all prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, as well as viruses.

Gene supports open access and strives to be an international and diverse journal.

The following topics, each headed up by a Section Editor who is an expert in the field, are considered for publication:

Human Genetics: Encompasses the fields of molecular genetics, cytogenetics, biochemical genetics, population genetics, evolutionary genetics, developmental genetics, and clinical genetics. We welcome articles aimed at understanding the molecular basis of human diseases, the genetic diversity and evolution of human populations, and the developmental processes that shape human phenotypes (applications in medicine, biotechnology, forensics, anthropology, and bioethics).

Cancer Genetics: We welcome high-quality scientific papers on the cellular, genetic and molecular aspects of cancer, including cancer predisposition and clinical diagnostic applications. Specific areas of interest include descriptions of new chromosomal, molecular, or epigenetic alterations in benign and malignant diseases; novel laboratory approaches for identification and characterization of chromosomal rearrangements or genomic alterations in cancer cells; correlation of genetic changes with pathology and clinical presentation; and the molecular genetics of cancer predisposition.

Neurogenetics: The focus is to understand how genetic variations influence the structure and activity of neurons, glia, and neural circuits, as well as how they affect the risk and progression of neurological and psychiatric disorders. We also welcome articles, reviews, and short communications on gene expression and regulation that are modulated by environmental factors and neural activity and how gene therapy can be used to treat or prevent neurological diseases.

Animal Genetics: We welcome original manuscripts, reviews, and short reports on frontline research on the molecular genetics, functional genomics, and microbiomics of livestock, marine animals, wildlife, and laboratory animals. Publications may include studies of variation in proteins, metabolomes, genes, transcriptomes, and genomes in relation to phenotypes, mapping of traits gene editing, genetic diversity and epidemiology, epigenetics, epigenomics, multi-omics, and microbiomes.

Some of the topics that animal genetics covers are
- Inheritance: How genes are passed from parents to offspring and how they determine the physical and behavioral features of animals.
- Variation: How genes interact with each other and with the environment to create differences among individuals and populations of animals.
- Selection: How natural or artificial forces affect the frequency and distribution of genes and traits in animal populations.
- Genetic engineering: How biotechnology can modify the genetic makeup of animals for various purposes, such as improving disease resistance, enhancing performance, or creating transgenic animals.
- Genetic testing: How molecular techniques can identify the genetic status of animals for diagnosis, screening, or identification purposes.

Genome Editing: We welcome submissions within the field of gene editing, covering various document types, such as reviews, research papers, or short communications on the latest findings and translational research in this evolving area.

The broad focus of this section encompasses

• Investigations into the regulatory mechanisms of gene editing, exploration of genetic pathways, and specific genes impacting gene editing in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems

• Gene editing of somatic and stem cells for all organisms

• Therapeutic development of novel gene editing tools for the treatment of cancer and inherited diseases

• Development of new research tools, such as single-agent applications with oligonucleotides and programmable nucleases, including but not limited to CRISPR/Cas systems

• Innovation concerning biomolecular tools that advance genetic engineering objectives

Additionally, we encourage the submission of reviews or research articles describing the appropriate use of gene editing in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms, with a special emphasis on ethical regulation and guidance provided by the appropriate regulatory agencies.

Molecular Ecology: We welcome articles, reviews, and short communications that investigate how environmental factors affect the distribution and abundance of species; how species respond to climate change, habitat fragmentation, and invasive species; how gene expression and epigenetics influence phenotypic variation and plasticity; and how hybridization and introgression shape the genetic structure and speciation of populations. We also aim at publishing articles, reviews, and short communications that address molecular ecology, which provides insights into the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems.

Plant Genetics: We welcome manuscripts, reviews, short communication that focus on the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary processes that shape the diversity and function of plant genomes. Topics may include the use of various tools and techniques, such as molecular markers, gene editing, transcriptomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics to investigate the structure, expression, regulation, and interaction of plant genes. Also, applications in agriculture, biotechnology, medicine, and conservation are of interest to Gene.

Parasitology and Virology: The focus of this branch is to understand the biology and diversity of parasites and viruses, to identify their modes of transmission and pathogenesis, to develop diagnostic tools and preventive measures, and to find effective treatments and vaccines.

We aim at publishing research papers, reviews, and communications related to parasite biology, with particular attention to the effects and physiological alterations to their hosts and vectors and to the strategies implemented by parasites to transmit between hosts and counteract their immune defenses.

Microbiology: We welcome articles, reviews, and short communications that investigate microbiology in relation to applications in medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, food safety, and environmental engineering.

Out of scope are

• Computational/bioinformatic studies without solid experimental validation of the computed findings

• Case report studies reporting solely descriptive observations with no genetic implications

• Mendelian randomization studies and meta-analyses

• Any descriptive study that has no genetic implications

Gene is part of the Gene Family, and you are welcome to submit to

• Gene Reports (Impact Factor 1.3)

• Human Gene (Impact Factor 0.7)

• Plant Gene (under Impact Factor review)