For authors

Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry is an international interdisciplinary peer-reviewed platinum open-access journal published periodically.

The journal publishes a variety of article types in the field of:

1. Applied Chemistry

2. Biointerfaces and Biomaterials

3. Biosensors and Analytical Chemistry

4. Synthetic Biology and Bioengineering

5. Materials Science and Engineering

The Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry journal accepts the following categories of submissions: review articles, original research papers, communications, and short notes.

There are no restrictions on manuscript length, as long as the content remains concise and comprehensive. Authors are required to include full experimental details to ensure the reproducibility of results. This includes providing all necessary experimental controls and making complete datasets available. Additionally, authors are encouraged to use the Microsoft Word Template when preparing their manuscript.



Manuscripts submitted to Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry must be original and should not have been previously published, either in whole or in part, nor should they be under consideration for publication in any other journal. Furthermore, all ethical standards and guidelines related to authorship must be strictly adhered to.

All eligible co-authors must be listed as authors, and each must have read and approved the final version of the manuscript prior to submission.

Submission Checklist

  1. read the Aim & Scope to gain an overview and assess if your manuscript is suitable for this journal;
  2. use the Microsoft Word Template (Download template) to prepare your manuscript;
  3. make sure that issues about publication ethics, copyright, authorship, figure formats, data, and references format have been appropriately considered;
  4. please try to cite only articles with DOI (digital object identifier); also add DOI for each reference;
  5. please remove any citation from our journal (if applicable). This practice is not allowed by the editorial board!
  6. ensure that all authors have approved the content of the submitted manuscript.

Submission Process

Manuscripts for Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry must be submitted online via the following link: https://jams.amgtranscend.org/, hosted on the JAMS platform, powered by MDPI. The submitting author, typically the corresponding author, is responsible for managing the manuscript throughout the submission and peer-review process. The submitting author must ensure that all eligible co-authors are included in the author list, based on the criteria for authorship, and that all co-authors have read and approved the submitted version of the manuscript.

To submit your manuscript, you must register and log in to the submission website. Once registered, click here to access the submission form for Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry. Co-authors can view the manuscript details in the submission system by registering and logging in using the email address provided during the manuscript submission process.

Contact: review@biointerfaceresearch.com

Cover Letter

A concise cover letter should accompany the manuscript upon submission, clearly explaining the relevance of the paper in relation to the Aims & Scope of Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry and positioning its conclusions within the context of existing research. Additionally, the cover letter must include a statement confirming that the manuscript, or any part thereof, is not currently under consideration for publication in any other journal.

How to prepare a manuscript

When preparing any manuscript for publication in Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry, authors are kindly requested to use the provided Microsoft Word template and adhere to American English spelling throughout the manuscript.

All manuscripts should include a front matter comprising the following sections:

  • Title: A concise, specific, and relevant title that clearly indicates the type of data the study reports (e.g., systematic review, meta-analysis, trial data, or replication study).
  • Author List and Affiliations: The author list should include the full first and last names of all authors, with middle names optionally included. Affiliations must follow the PubMed/MEDLINE standard format, providing complete addresses, including city, zip code, state/province, and country. At least one corresponding author should be designated, and their contact information (email, phone, and fax) should be provided at the end of the affiliation section.
  • Abstract: The abstract should be no longer than 200 words, written as a single paragraph, and structured with the following elements:
    • Background: Define the study’s objectives and place them in the current context.
    • Methods: Provide a brief description of the methods used.
    • Results: Summarize the key findings of the study.
    • Conclusions: State the main conclusions drawn from the study.

Headers should not be included in the abstract, and the content should accurately represent the manuscript.

Introduction

All manuscripts should include an Introduction, clearly defining the study’s objectives and significance within the broader context of current research. Research manuscripts must specify the hypotheses being tested, supported by carefully selected key references. The introduction should help readers understand the paper’s relevance and topic.

Research Manuscripts Structure

For research manuscripts, the content should be organized as follows:

  1. Materials and Methods: Provide detailed information on experimental procedures to enable replication. Established methods can be described briefly but should include appropriate citations. All substances, kits, equipment, or software must be fully named, with the producer specified.

  2. Results: Present the findings concisely and precisely, with appropriate interpretation and conclusions based on the experimental data.

  3. Discussion: Interpret the results in the context of previous studies, the stated objectives, and hypotheses. Discuss the broader implications of the findings as well as any limitations of the work. The discussion can also suggest future research directions.

A combined Results and Discussion section is acceptable.

  1. Conclusions: Summarize the key findings of the study in a brief conclusion.

Additional Sections

  • Funding: A separate section should mention funding sources or the absence thereof.
  • Acknowledgments: Acknowledge any support not covered in the author contributions or funding sections, such as donations or technical assistance.
  • Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any personal circumstances or interests that could influence the research’s representation or interpretation. If no conflicts exist, this should be explicitly stated. Any involvement of sponsors in the research project design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation, or decision to publish should also be declared.

References

References should be numbered in the order they appear in the text, including citations in tables and figure legends, and listed at the end of the manuscript. The use of reference management software, such as EndNote, ReferenceManager, or Zotero, is encouraged. Citations of data, computer code, and other research materials are encouraged. References and citations in supplementary files are permitted, provided they are also included in the main text and reference list.

Reference numbers should be placed in square brackets [ ] within the text, appearing before the punctuation marks (e.g., [1], [1–3], or [1,3]). When citing specific page numbers within the text, both parentheses and brackets should be used to indicate the reference number and the page(s), as follows: [5] (p. 10) or [6] (pp. 101–105).

References should be formatted as follows:

  • Journal Articles: [] Author 1, A.B.; Author 2, C.D. Title of the article. Abbreviated Journal Name YearVolume, page range. Available online: URL (accessed on Day Month Year).
  • Books and Book Chapters: [] Author 1, A.; Author 2, B. Book Title, 3rd ed.; Publisher: Publisher Location, Country, Year; pp. 154–196.


[] Author 1, A.; Author 2, B. Title of the chapter. In Book Title, 2nd ed.; Editor 1, A., Editor 2, B., Eds.; Publisher: Publisher Location, Country, Year; Volume 3, pp. 154–196.

  • Unpublished work, submitted work, personal communication:
[] Author 1, A.B.; Author 2, C. Title of Unpublished Work. status (unpublished; manuscript in preparation).


[] Author 1, A.B.; Author 2, C. Title of Unpublished Work. Abbreviated Journal Name stage of publication (under review; accepted; in press).


[] Author 1, A.B. (University, City, State, Country); Author 2, C. (Institute, City, State, Country). Personal communication, Year.

  • Conference Proceedings:
[] Author 1, A.B.; Author 2, C.D.; Author 3, E.F. Title of Presentation. In Title of the Collected Work (if available), Proceedings of the Name of the Conference, Location of Conference, Country, Date of Conference; Editor 1, Editor 2, Eds. (if available); Publisher: City, Country, Year (if available); Abstract Number (optional), Pagination (optional).
  • Thesis:
[] Author 1, A.B. Title of Thesis. Level of Thesis, Degree-Granting University, Location of University, Date of Completion.
  • Websites:
[] Title of Site. Available online: URL (accessed on Day Month Year).


he chosen style must be consistent throughout the manuscript.

Preparing Figures, Schemes, and Tables

  • Figures and Schemes: These should be submitted as separate files in a single zip archive during the manuscript submission process. The minimum resolution should be 1000 pixels in width or height, or 300 dpi. While common formats are accepted, TIFF, JPEG, EPS, and PDF are preferred. If you wish to include multimedia files in the article or as supplementary material, please contact the editorial office for further information.

  • Numbering: All figures, schemes, and tables must be numbered sequentially according to their first appearance in the text (e.g., Figure 1, Scheme I, Figure 2, Scheme II, Table 1, etc.). Each should be accompanied by an explanatory caption and inserted into the text close to the point where they are first cited.

  • Tables: Each table should have clear column headings. Smaller font sizes may be used, but no smaller than 8 pt. It is recommended to use the table creation option in Microsoft Word to ensure clarity and alignment.

  • Color Figures and Schemes: The use of color in figures and schemes is encouraged, with no additional cost for publishing full-color graphics. Color images should be in RGB format at 8 bits per channel.

Following these guidelines will ensure that figures, schemes, and tables are prepared and presented clearly and effectively for publication in Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry.

Supplementary Materials

Additional data and files can be submitted as “Supplementary Material” during the manuscript submission process. These supplementary materials will be made available to the referees as part of the peer-review process but will not undergo an editing process. Therefore, authors are kindly requested to ensure that the supplementary material is presented in a well-organized and concise manner.

Any restrictions on data availability must be noted during submission and mentioned in the manuscript. The use of “Data not shown” should be avoided, as authors are encouraged to publish all relevant observations related to the manuscript as Supplementary Material. “Unpublished data,” intended for future publication in a manuscript that is either planned, “in preparation,” or “submitted” but not yet accepted, should be cited in the text, with a corresponding reference included in the References section. “Personal Communication” should also be cited within the text, and an appropriate reference must be added in the References section.

Research and Publication Ethics

Research Ethics and Research Involving Human Subjects

When reporting research involving human subjects, human material, human tissues, or human data, authors must declare that the study was conducted in accordance with the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki of 1975 (https://www.wma.net/what-we-do/medical-ethics/declaration-of-helsinki/), as revised in 2013. Ethical approval from a recognized ethics committee must have been obtained prior to conducting the research. The manuscript should include a statement in the Methods Section specifying the project identification code, the date of approval, and the name of the ethics committee or institutional review board that granted the approval.

Data concerning individual participants must be described comprehensively, but private information that could directly identify participants should not be included, unless such identifiable materials are integral to the research (e.g., photographs of participants’ faces illustrating a specific symptom). Editors reserve the right to reject any submission that fails to comply with these ethical standards.

Example of an ethical statement: “All subjects gave their informed consent for inclusion before they participated in the study. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and the protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of XXX (Project identification code).”

Written informed consent for publication must be obtained from all participating patients who can be identified. For manuscripts that include case details, personal information, and/or images of patients, authors must secure signed informed consent from the patients (or their relatives/guardians) prior to submission. Patient details should be anonymized to the greatest extent possible. A blank version of the consent form (without patient names or signatures) must be submitted alongside the manuscript. Alternatively, authors may provide a detailed justification explaining why informed consent is not required.

For the purpose of publication, the consent, permission, or release form must include unrestricted permission for publication in all formats (print, electronic, and online), in sublicensed and reprinted versions (including translations and derivative works), and in other works and products under an open-access license. To protect privacy, authors must not submit signed consent forms. However, the journal reserves the right to request signed forms if necessary.

Research Involving Cell Lines

The origin of any cell lines used in the study must be clearly stated in the Materials and Methods section. For established cell lines, the source should be specified, either by citing a published reference or by providing details of the commercial supplier. If the research involves the creation of de novo cell lines, approval from an institutional review board or ethics committee must be obtained. Additionally, if the cell line is of human origin, a confirmation of written informed consent from the donor must be provided.

Publication Ethics Statement

Unethical publishing behavior is strictly prohibited at Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry. In addition to a rigorous peer-review process, all submitted manuscripts are thoroughly checked to ensure adherence to the journal’s ethical policies.

Publication Ethics Infringements:

  • Plagiarism
  • Data falsification
  • Image manipulation
  • Inappropriate authorship credit

Authors wishing to publish in Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry must comply with the following rules:

  1. Conflict of Interest: Any potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed in the submitted manuscript.

  2. Accuracy and Objectivity: Research results must be presented accurately, and discussions should be conducted objectively.

  3. Reproducibility: Detailed methods and data must be provided to ensure that the work can be replicated by other researchers.

  4. Raw Data Availability: Authors must be prepared to supply raw data to referees and editors if requested. This data should be preserved for a certain period after publication and made publicly available if required.

  5. Simultaneous Submission: Manuscripts must not be submitted to more than one journal at the same time.

  6. Novelty: The content submitted must be original and unpublished.

  7. Error Reporting: Authors are required to promptly report any errors or inaccuracies discovered after publication to the editors.

  8. Previously Published Material: Manuscripts must not include any information that has already been published. Previously published figures or images can only be included if proper permission to republish under the CC-BY license has been obtained from the copyright holder.

  9. Data Integrity: Plagiarism, data fabrication, and image manipulation are strictly prohibited. Images must not be manipulated or adjusted in a way that could mislead or misrepresent the information.

By adhering to these guidelines, authors ensure the integrity and ethical standards of their work and contribute to the trustworthiness of scientific publications.

Plagiarism Guidelines:

Plagiarism includes the following behaviors:

  • Copying texts, images, or data from another source (including the author’s own previous publications) without proper attribution to the original source.
  • Reused text from another source must be placed in quotation marks and properly cited.
  • If the design, structure, or language of a manuscript is inspired by previous works, these must be explicitly acknowledged and cited.

If plagiarism is detected during the peer review process, the manuscript may be rejected. If discovered after publication, the manuscript may be corrected or retracted.

Image Manipulation Guidelines:

The following actions are considered unacceptable forms of image adjustment or manipulation:

  • Introducing, enhancing, moving, or removing features from the original image.
  • Combining images from separate experiments to falsify results.
  • Altering the contrast, brightness, or color balance in a way that obscures, eliminates, or enhances information in the image.

If irregular image manipulation is identified and confirmed during peer review, the manuscript may be rejected. If discovered after publication, the manuscript may be corrected or retracted.

Misconduct Investigations:

The editors of Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry will investigate any allegations of publication misconduct. This may involve contacting the authors’ institutions or funders. If evidence of misconduct is confirmed, appropriate actions, such as correction or retraction of the publication, will be taken. Authors are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards in scientific publishing.

Reviewer Suggestions

Authors are encouraged to suggest three potential reviewers with relevant expertise to evaluate their manuscript. However, the editors are not obligated to contact these suggested reviewers.

When proposing reviewers, detailed contact information must be provided, including their address, homepage, phone number, and email address. The proposed reviewers should meet the following criteria:

  • Not be current collaborators of any co-authors.
  • Not have co-published with any of the manuscript’s co-authors within the last five years.
  • Be affiliated with different institutions than the authors.

English Corrections

Manuscripts must be written in grammatically correct American English.

If English is not your first language, it is recommended to have your manuscript professionally edited before submission or reviewed by a native English-speaking colleague. While all accepted manuscripts undergo free language editing, authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts with correct spelling and grammar to avoid potential misinterpretations of the content.

Please note that the editor reserves the right to reject manuscripts if they are not written in clear and comprehensive language.

Qualification for Authorship

Individuals can be considered authors of a manuscript if they have made substantial contributions to one or more of the following areas:

  • The conception or design of the work.
  • Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.
  • The creation of new software used in the work.
  • Writing or substantively revising the manuscript.

All authors must have approved the submitted version of the manuscript, as well as any significantly revised versions that involve their contributions. Each author is personally accountable for their own contributions and for ensuring that any questions regarding the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work—whether or not the author was directly involved—are properly investigated, resolved, and documented in the literature.

Merely acquiring funding, collecting data, or providing general supervision of the research group does not qualify an individual for authorship. Individuals who contributed to the work but do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgments section.

More detailed guidelines on authorship are provided by the International Council of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). According to these guidelines, all authors must agree to be listed and must approve both the submitted and final accepted versions of the manuscript. Any changes to the author list, including additions or removals, must be approved by all authors.

The corresponding author serves as the point of contact between the editor and the co-authors, ensuring that all co-authors are kept informed and are involved in key decisions regarding the publication (e.g., responding to reviewers’ comments). The journal reserves the right to request confirmation that all authors meet the specified authorship criteria.

Editorial Procedures and Peer-Review

Initial Checks

All manuscripts submitted to Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry undergo initial checks by the Editorial Office to assess their compliance with the journal’s standards. These checks include:

  • Verifying the manuscript’s adherence to the journal’s preparation guidelines.
  • Evaluating for any ethical concerns related to publication.
  • Ensuring the manuscript fits within the scope of the journal.
  • Assessing the manuscript’s scientific soundness.

Manuscripts that do not align with the journal’s ethics policy or fail to meet the required standards will be rejected before entering the peer-review process. Those that are not properly prepared will be returned to the authors for revision and resubmission.

Peer-Review

Once the manuscript passes the initial checks, it will be assigned to at least two independent experts for peer review. The journal follows a single-blind review process, meaning the reviewers are aware of the authors’ identities, but the authors do not know the reviewers’ identities. All peer-review comments remain confidential and are disclosed only with the reviewer’s explicit consent.

Reviewers may include members of the Editorial Board, Guest Editors, or other qualified experts. Reviewers suggested by the authors may be considered, provided they have not published with any of the co-authors in the past five years and are not affiliated with or collaborating with any of the co-authors’ institutions.

Editorial Decision and Revision

All articles, reviews, and communications submitted to Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry undergo the peer-review process, with each manuscript receiving feedback from at least two reviewers. Based on the reviewers’ assessments, the academic editor will communicate one of the following decisions:

  • Accept in the present form: No further changes are required.
  • Accept after minor revisions: The manuscript is essentially accepted, but authors must address minor reviewer comments. Authors have five days to submit a response.
  • Reconsider after major revisions: The manuscript’s acceptance depends on the authors’ ability to respond to significant reviewer feedback. Authors have ten days to revise and resubmit.
  • Reject: The manuscript is not accepted due to major flaws or lack of originality. Resubmission to the journal will not be offered.

When revising a manuscript, authors are required to respond to all reviewer comments point-by-point. If the authors disagree with a reviewer’s comment, they must provide a clear and reasoned explanation for their position.

Author Appeals

Authors may appeal a manuscript rejection by sending an email to the journal’s Editorial Office, providing a detailed justification for the appeal. This appeal must include point-by-point responses to the reviewers’ and/or Editor’s comments.

The Managing Editor will forward the manuscript and related information (including the identities of the referees) to the Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor, or a relevant Editorial Board member. The consulted academic editor will review the appeal and provide an advisory recommendation, which may include:

  • Acceptance
  • Further peer-review
  • Upholding the original rejection decision

If the decision to reject is upheld at this stage, it is final and irreversible.

For special issues, the Managing Editor will forward the appeal and manuscript information (including referee identities) to the Editor-in-Chief, who will provide an advisory recommendation. The possible outcomes are the same as in regular issues, and a final rejection cannot be overturned.

Author Complaints

The journal encourages authors to resolve disputes amongst themselves whenever possible. However, in cases where this is not feasible, the complainant must understand that the journal cannot proceed with an investigation unless the editor informs the corresponding author or the author involved in the complaint. In some cases, the relevant institution or company where the research took place may also be informed. This procedure ensures due process is followed. If the complainant does not wish to escalate the matter to this formal level, they may choose not to file the complaint.

Production and Publication

Once a manuscript is accepted, it undergoes several stages of production, including:

  • Professional copy-editing
  • English editing
  • Proofreading by the authors
  • Final corrections
  • Pagination

After these steps are completed, the manuscript is published on the journal’s website.