Content Types

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

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

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

  • News and Views*    
  • Books & Arts*
  • Obituary*

*These content types should not include original (previously unpublished) research findings and may only contain minimal new supporting data.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

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Article

Nature Chemical Biology considers original research submissions in one format, Articles, which may range from shorter communications to more substantial research studies. Regardless of the length, an Article presents a novel research study of high quality and general interest to the chemical biology community. Articles are generally 4–8 printed journal pages in length.

Format

  • Main text – up to 4,500 words, excluding abstract, Methods, references and figure legends.
  • Abstract – up to 150 words, unreferenced. 
  • Display items – up to 6 items (figures and/or tables) 
  • Article should be divided as follows: 
    • Introduction (without heading) 
    • Results
    • Discussion
    • Online Methods. ​
  • Results and Methods should be divided by topical subheadings; the Discussion does not contain subheadings.
  • References – as a guideline, we recommend up to 50.
  • Articles include received/accepted dates. 
  • Articles may be accompanied by supplementary information. 
  • Articles are peer reviewed.

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Matters Arising

Matters Arising are exceptionally interesting and timely scientific comments and clarifications on original research papers published in Nature Chemical 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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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 – 4,000-5,000 words.
  • Display items – 6-8 (figures, tables and boxes).
  • References – up to 100.
  • 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 to ensure factual accuracy, appropriate citations and scholarly balance.

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Perspective

Perspectives are a second format for scholarly reviews and discussions of the primary research literature. Perspectives differ from Reviews and Comments (see below) in that they frequently present a focused review of a rapidly moving area of science. They also may advocate a controversial position or present a speculative hypothesis.  Two reviews advocating opposite sides in a research controversy are normally published as Perspectives. 

Format

  • Main text – 4,000-5,000 words.
  • Display items – 6-8 (figures, tables and boxes).
  • References – up to 100.
  • 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 to ensure factual accuracy, appropriate citations and scholarly balance.

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Comment

A Comment is a flexible format, focusing on the scientific, commercial, ethical, legal, societal, or political issues surrounding research. Comment articles should be topical, readable, 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. 

Format

  • Length – varies but typically 1-4 pages.
  • Most Comments are 2,000-3,000 words and have 2-3 display items (figures, tables or boxes).
  • Comments do not contain primary research data, although they may present 'sociological' data (funding trends, demographics, bibliographic data, etc.). 
  • References should be used sparingly – up to 15.
  • Comments are peer reviewed at the editors' discretion.

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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 (Figure or Table).
  • 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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News & Views

News & Views articles inform readers about the latest advances in chemical biology, as reported in recently published papers or at scientific meetings. They may be linked to articles in Nature Chemical 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 & Views are not peer reviewed.

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Books & Arts

The Books & Arts section publishes timely reviews of books and other technological or cultural resources of interest to chemical biologists; Book & Arts are by prior arrangement only, although suggestions are welcome. 

Books & Arts are not peer reviewed.

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Obituaries

Obituaries are by prior arrangement only, although suggestions are welcome.