Plant Biotechnology Journal is published monthly by Wiley-Blackwell in association with the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) and the Association of Applied Biology (AAB).
Plant Biotechnology Journal aims to publish high-impact original research and incisive reviews by leading researchers in applied plant science, with an emphasis on molecular plant sciences and their applications through plant biotechnology. We aim to provide a forum for the most important advances in this field, including curiosity-driven studies with the potential for application, strategic research in plant biotechnology, scientific analysis of key issues for the beneficial application of plant sciences and scientific analysis of the performance of the products of plant biotechnology in practice.
Plant Biotechnology Journal often receives manuscripts describing research carried out solely in model species. While the Plant Biotechnology Journal will continue to accept exceptional manuscripts describing novel and useful procedures carried out in model species, one of the strengths of the Plant Biotechnology Journal is its ability to focus on application. Therefore, from January 2011 the Plant Biotechnology Journal will immediately reject manuscripts containing high quality, but not exceptional, research relating solely to model species.
To be accepted for publication in Plant Biotechnology Journal, original research papers will need to present major new findings with conclusions thoroughly supported by critical experimental evidence and make a substantial contribution to plant biotechnology and/or scientific understanding. Reviews must accordingly provide a high level of insight and synthesis beyond a summary of published work. Sciences underpinning plant biotechnology include functional genomics and proteomics, molecular genetics, physiology, biochemistry and cell biology, with applications through molecular marker, mutant and transgenic approaches. Applications may involve agriculture, horticulture, forestry, biodiversity and conservation, enhanced yield, reduced environmental impact, phytoremediation, environmental sensors, improved foods and food-processing, biofuels and biomaterials including pharmaceuticals from terrestrial, aquatic or marine plant systems including industrial crops and natural systems. Examples of areas covered in Plant Biotechnology Journal include:
Gene, genome, proteome and metabolome analysis: molecular screening technologies; analysis of gene function from nucleotide sequence to phenotype; understanding of gene networks; applications ranging from metabolic engineering to marker assisted breeding.
Functional genomics, comparative genomics, bioinformatics and their applications in understanding and beneficial use of biodiversity, conservation, introgression, and rational design of improved genes for industrial plant improvement.
Transgenic technologies: production and analysis of transgenic crops; molecular farming; gene insertion, expression and silencing; field-testing and commercialisation of modified plants for agricultural, health, industrial and environmental benefits, improved foods, biofuels and biomaterials; safety and regulatory affairs.
Developmental, physiological and biochemical studies relevant to enhanced understanding of plant function, with potential for improvement of plant characteristics important to humans including the adaptation of plants to new environments.
Plant Biotechnology Journal seeks to achieve a balance between a speedy review process and providing authors with rigorous, objective and critical reviews. Submissions are initially reviewed by editors to select only those considered most promising for critical review by at least two independent experts. We promise speedy responses to authors, rigorous scientific review and rapid publication.
In addition to the usual black and white or colour photographs to present data, Plant Biotechnology Journal provides the opportunity to publish supplementary material via its website, such as large data sets, extra colour illustrations, bibliographies, videos, or any other material for which insufficient space in the journal is available. Please contact the Editor-in-Chief for details.