Content Types

To submit one of the following content types, please read the formatting details below, then follow the submission guidelines:

  • Article
  • Resource
  • Technical Report 
  • Correspondence*
  • Review*
  • Perspective*
  • Comment*
  • Matters Arising – see specialist submission process here​.

For more information on these content types, please contact Nature Cell Biology: 

  • News and Views*
  • Obituary*

* These content types should not include original (previously unpublished) results or data and may only contain minimal new supporting research findings. These non-primary articles are not eligible for Open Access and can only be published using the subscription-based publishing route.

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Article

An Article is a substantial novel research study, with a complex story often involving several techniques or approaches. 

Format

  • Main text – up to 3,500 words, excluding abstract, Methods, references and figure legends.
  • Abstract – up to 150 words, unreferenced. 
  • Display items – 5-8 items (main figures) and up to 10 Extended Data figures.
  • Article should be divided as follows: 
    • Introduction (without heading) 
    • Results
    • Discussion
    • Online Methods.
  • Results and online Methods should be divided by topical subheadings; the Discussion does not contain subheadings. 
  • References – as a guideline, we typically recommend up to 50.
  • Articles include received/accepted dates. 
  • Articles may be accompanied by supplementary information. 
  • Articles are peer reviewed.

 

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Resource

A Resource presents a large data set of broad utility, interest and significance to the community. 

Format

  • Main text – up to 3,500 words (excluding abstract, online Methods, references and figure legends).
  • Abstract – 100-150 words, unreferenced. 
  • Display items – 6-8 items (main figures) and up to 10 Extended Data figures 
  • Resource should be divided as follows: 
    • Introduction (without heading) 
    • Results
    • Discussion
    • Online Methods. 
  • Results and online Methods should be divided by topical subheadings; the Discussion does not contain subheadings. 
  • References – as a guideline, we typically recommend up to 70.
  • Resources include received/accepted dates.
  • Resources may be accompanied by supplementary information. 
  • Resources are peer reviewed.

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Technical report

A Technical Report presents primary research data on a new technique that is likely to be influential. 

Format

  • Technical Reports have a format broadly similar to that of an Article, though they may be shorter.
  • Begin with an unreferenced abstract (typically 150 words).
  • Followed by separate sections for Introduction, Results, Discussion and Methods. 
  • 5-8 display items (main figures) and up to 10 Extended Data figures are allowed. 
  • References – as a guideline, we typically recommend up to 60. 
  • Technical Reports include received/accepted dates and may be accompanied by supplementary information. 
  • Technical Reports are peer reviewed.

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Correspondence

The Correspondence section provides a forum for comment on issues relevant to the journal’s community. This format may not be used for presentation of research data or analysis. 

Format

  • Correspondence – between 300-800 words.
  • Display items – 1 item.
  • References – up to 10 references. Article titles are omitted from the reference list. 
  • Correspondence may be peer-reviewed at the editors’ discretion. 

Note that Correspondence pieces are not technical comments on peer-reviewed research papers; these should be submitted as Matters Arising.

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Review

A Review is an authoritative, balanced and scholarly survey of recent developments in a research field. The requirement for balance need not prevent authors from proposing a specific viewpoint, but if there are controversies in the field, the authors must treat them in an even-handed way. 

The scope of a Review should be broad enough that it is not dominated by the work of a single laboratory, and particularly not by the authors' own work.

Format

  • Main text – 3,000-4,000 words.
  • Illustrations are strongly encouraged.
  • References – up to 100 (exceptions are possible in special cases). 
  • Citations – these should be selective and, in the case of particularly important studies (≤ 10% of all the references), we encourage authors to provide short annotations explaining why these are key contributions.
  • Reviews include received/accepted dates. 
  • Reviews are peer reviewed.

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Perspective

A Perspective is a format for scholarly reviews and discussions of the primary research literature that are too technical for a Comment but do not meet the criteria for a Review – either because the scope is too narrow, or because the author is advocating a controversial position or a speculative hypothesis or discussing work primarily from one group. Two reviews advocating opposite sides in a research controversy are normally published as Perspectives. 

The related format Historical Perspective is a more technical account of a particular scientific development. Like other Perspectives, and in contrast to Historical Comment, Historical Perspectives are scholarly reviews, including citation of key references, aiming to present a balanced account of the historical events, not merely personal opinions or reminiscences.

Format

  • Length – up to 3,000 words. 
  • References – up to 70.
  • Perspectives include received/accepted dates.
  • Perspectives are peer reviewed.

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Comment

A Comment is a very flexible format, focusing on the scientific, commercial, ethical, legal, societal, or political issues surrounding research. Comment articles should be topical, readable, provocative and introduce new concepts/points of view, providing a personal perspective on a matter of public or scientific importance. The main criteria are that they should be of immediate interest to a broad readership and should be written in an accessible, non-technical style.

The related format ‘Historical Comment’ is a journalistic treatment of the history of a particular discovery or technical development. These pieces may be a personal account by one of the participants or may present strong personal opinions. This format does not necessarily seek scholarly balance, and it should be journalistic and accessible rather than scholarly in style.

Format

  • Length – varies but typically 1-3 pages.
  • There are no specific structural guidelines.
  • Comments do not normally contain primary research data, although they may present 'sociological' data (funding trends, demographics, bibliographic data, etc.). 
  • References should be used sparingly – up to 15.
  • Article titles are omitted from the reference list.
  • Peer review is at the editors' discretion.

 

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Matters Arising

Matters Arising are exceptionally interesting and timely scientific comments and clarifications on original research papers published in Nature Cell Biology. These comments should ideally be based on contemporary knowledge rather than subsequent scientific developments.

For detailed information on how to submit a Matters Arising, please follow instructions here.

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News & Views

News & Views articles inform readers about the latest advances in cell biology, as reported in recently published papers or at scientific meetings. They may be linked to articles in Nature Cell Biology, or they may focus on papers of exceptional significance that are published elsewhere. Unsolicited contributions will not normally be considered, although prospective authors are welcome to make proposals.

News and Views are not peer reviewed.

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Obituary

Obituaries are by prior arrangement only, although suggestions are welcome. Obituaries are not peer reviewed.