Aims and scope

eLife welcomes the submission of Research Articles, Short Reports, Tools and Resources articles, Research Advances, Scientific Correspondence and Review Articles in the subject areas below.

Biochemistry and Chemical Biology

We aim to review studies that provide new insights into the structure, function, and regulation of biological molecules including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, and natural products. In addition, we are interested in studies that illuminate complex biological processes using chemical tools and approaches. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Cancer Biology

We aim to review potentially important advances in all areas of cancer biology, including the discovery of new mechanisms responsible for cancer initiation, progression and therapy response. We are also interested in clinical trials or other clinical observations that reveal new biological insights. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Cell Biology

We aim to review research in all areas of cell biology, including but not limited to studies on cell cycle, cell polarity and fate, nuclear and chromosome organization and segregation/division, signal transduction, and vesicle transport. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Chromosomes and Gene Expression

We aim to review research, performed using genetic, biochemical and structural approaches, that relates to all aspects of the central dogma of biology, specifically DNA replication, repair and recombination, transcription and RNA processing, and translation. We welcome studies in organisms from bacteria to humans that provide new insights into the mechanisms of these processes – including how they are regulated, for example during cell differentiation – and the defects in these processes that contribute to disease. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Computational and Systems Biology

We aim to review studies that use computational methods, models and software to provide biological insights in all areas of the life sciences. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Developmental Biology

We aim to review research in the field of developmental biology, in both traditional organisms and arising model systems. We particularly encourage studies that advance a mechanistic understanding of important events in embryogenesis, ranging from cell migration, proliferation and differentiation, regeneration, and inductive and signaling interactions, as well as work at the intersection between developmental biology and evolution. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Ecology

We aim to review studies that provide new insights into the different types of interactions that shape the distribution and abundance of organisms on Earth, including everything from new natural history observations to genomic analyses conducted on landscape scales (see also “Ecology in the genomics era of a degraded planet”). We also welcome functional analyses of the traits that matter for an organism’s Darwinian fitness. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Epidemiology and Global Health

We aim to review studies across the entire spectrum of conditions and diseases of global public health importance (see also "What makes an eLife paper in epidemiology and global health?"). We also welcome submissions in broad areas of quantitative epidemiological research, novel mathematical models, and biological studies that are relevant to population health. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Evolutionary Biology

We aim to review studies that present new insights into patterns and processes in any field of evolutionary biology. This includes comparative genomics, population genetics, ecology, behavior, morphology, evolution of developmental processes, palaeontology, experimental evolution and evolutionary theory. We also welcome papers that revisit long established evolutionary paradigms in the light of new evidence. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Genetics and Genomics

We aim to review research in areas including the genetic basis of health and disease, comparative and functional genomics, epigenetics, genomics, medical genetics, genetic epidemiology, and population genetics. We welcome studies in all areas of human genetics as well as those that use cellular and animal models to explore traits of broad relevance to health and disease. We are particularly keen to see studies that use human genetics to drive risk variant discovery, and/or apply such information to provide further mechanistic insights into disease biology, to dissect the genetic architecture of disease, to explore the impact of modifiable risk factors, and/or to support translational advances. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Immunology and Inflammation

We aim to review studies that provide new insights into the development and function of the immune system and inflammatory processes, irrespective of model organism. We also welcome studies on associated human diseases, new therapeutic strategies, and development of new methodologies or interdisciplinary studies that integrate immunology and inflammation with other research fields. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Medicine

We aim to review translational research and clinical studies focused on improving human health. Our interests include, but are not limited to, the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, genetics, prevention, and treatment of human disorders, as well as the biological, environmental and socioeconomic determinants of health which lead to changes in medical practice, population health and health policy. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Microbiology and Infectious Disease

We aim to review studies that provide new insights into fundamental mechanisms, and cell growth and metabolism, in all microbes. We also welcome studies of all types of interactions between microorganisms in communities and between microbes and multicellular organisms, in both pathogenic and commensal interactions, including but not limited to investigations into the microbiome, microbial ecology, mycology, pathology, parasitology, and virology. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Neuroscience

We aim to review research in all areas of neuroscience, including but not limited to brain function, neuronal circuits, synapses, sensory processing, and motor pattern generation. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Physics of Living Systems

We aim to review studies in which experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches, rooted in the physical sciences, are developed and/or applied to provide deep insights into the collective properties and function of multicomponent biological systems and processes. We also welcome descriptions of methods that could enable the interrogation of classes of biological systems in new ways, as well as interdisciplinary studies that bring together scientists and approaches from the physical and life sciences. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Plant Biology

We aim to review research in all areas of plant biology, from evolution and interaction with microbes to development and physiology, as well as epigenetics and genomics. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

We aim to review advances in all areas of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, including the discovery of new mechanisms that regulate stem cell function, organogenesis, and tissue regeneration. We are also interested in clinical trials or other clinical observations that reveal new approaches to therapy or new biological insights. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors

Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics

We aim to review studies that advance our understanding of molecular mechanisms in biology, using experimental and computational approaches to provide quantitative insights. We also welcome studies describing structure determination by methods including cryoEM, crystallography and NMR, the investigation of macromolecular dynamics, the evolution of function and specificity in molecular systems, and the application of advanced biophysical methods to capture molecules in action. Read the latest research in this subject area. See editors