Message from the Editor-in-Chief: Charting New Frontiers in Biological Sciences

It is with immense pleasure and pride that I welcome you to the inaugural issue of Trends in Biological Sciences. The launch of this journal represents not just the addition of another title to the scientific publishing landscape, but the birth of a community committed to advancing life sciences through rigorous research, open communication, and inclusive collaboration.

WHY THIS JOURNAL, AND WHY NOW?

Biology is moving faster than ever. The past decade alone has brought once-unimaginable breakthroughs from CRISPR to real-time disease tracking, from synthetic biology to deep insights into climate resilience. Yet these advances are often siloed behind paywalls, buried in hyper-specialized publications, or inaccessible to the broader community. As our knowledge expands, so does the need to connect the dots to break down the barriers between research areas that too often remain disconnected, and to make sure these discoveries are not just published, but accessible, understandable, and usable.

Trends in Biological Sciences was founded to break those silos. Our mission is to create a truly interdisciplinary, open-access platform where ideas flow freely, where a geneticist might spark ideas in a conservationist, and where early-career researchers from every corner of the world have a voice equal to the most established scholars.

Our Core Principles
Peer review and publishing ethics form the backbone of scholarly communication. As Editor-in-Chief, I assure you that Trends in Biological Sciences maintains a rigorous and transparent peer-review process, adhering strictly to international ethical standards outlined by respected bodies such as COPE and WAME. Our editorial team is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability, ensuring trustworthiness and credibility in everything we publish. Our core principles include:

	•	Interdisciplinary reach: Our scope spans molecular biology, genetics, ecology, systems biology, biotechnology, and more. We actively seek research that connects disciplines, fosters dialogue, and fuels innovation
	•	Open science in practice: We are fully open access, not just free to read, but designed for impact. We believe that science should be shared, accessible, and usable by all, from fellow researchers to educators, policy-makers, and even farmers adapting their practices from newly published insights
	•	Rigorous, transparent peer review: We uphold a double-blind peer review model to reduce bias and center evaluations on the science itself. Our editorial standards are aligned with best practices from COPE and WAME. And we’re committed to timely decisions- because no one should wait six months to hear back on a submission
	•	Global inclusion: From Lagos to Lahore, from São Paulo to Sydney, we are building a journal that represents the diversity of today’s scientific community. We are proud to use SciONE, an advanced journal management system provided by the Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE), to streamline our editorial process and enhance author and reviewer experiences

OUR EDITORIAL TEAM

Behind Trends in Biological Sciences is a dedicated editorial board made up of exceptional scientists from across the globe. They bring with them not only deep expertise in their respective fields but also a genuine commitment to advancing science in meaningful ways. Many of our board members rank among the top 20% of researchers worldwide-a testament to their scholarly impact and leadership.

Their diverse perspectives, thoughtful guidance, and rigorous oversight have shaped this journal from day one. Quite simply, this launch wouldn’t have been possible without them. As we grow, their continued support will be vital in helping Trends in Biological Sciences earn its place as a trusted and influential voice in the biological sciences.

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION AND HANDLING

To efficiently manage our editorial workflow, Trends in Biological Sciences employs an advanced online manuscript submission and content management system provided by SciONE. This technologically sophisticated platform ensures a seamless experience for authors, reviewers, and editors alike, enhancing the speed and quality of the peer-review process. We gratefully acknowledge the Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE) for providing access to SciONE, which significantly supports our commitment to maintaining rigorous editorial standards and operational excellence.

Looking ahead: The journey ahead is ambitious. We aim to:

	•	Assemble a globally representative, expert editorial board
	•	Deliver consistent quality to gain recognition and indexing
	•	Introduce special thematic issues, collaborate with leading institutions, and establish the journal as a go-to platform for innovative thinking

This first issue already showcases the spirit of our journal with contributions that bridge fundamental and applied science and reflect the depth and breadth of the biological sciences.

Personal invitation: If you’re reading this, I hope you’ll be part of what we’re building. Submit your work, even if it’s a little unconventional. Volunteer to review and help shape the field. Reach out with ideas, questions or suggestions. This journal doesn’t belong to any one of us, it belongs to the entire community.