Submissions

Author Guidelines

Guideline Policy

The International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology considers manuscripts prepared in accordance with the ethical and editorial standards established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and internationally accepted best practices in scientific publishing. Authors are strongly encouraged to review and adhere to these guidelines to ensure the integrity, transparency, and quality of scholarly work.

These standards include recommendations for manuscript preparation, authorship criteria, disclosure of conflicts of interest, and ethical considerations relevant to biological, botanical, and biotechnological research.

General Guidelines for Manuscript Preparation

All manuscripts submitted to the International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology must comply with the following preparation guidelines to ensure a smooth, transparent, and ethical peer-review process:

Conflict of Interest Form

Each submission must include a completed ICMJE Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form. Authors are required to complete this form and upload it as part of their submission files.

Blinded Manuscript

The main manuscript file must be anonymized by removing all identifying information, including author names, institutional affiliations, acknowledgments, and contact details, to maintain the integrity of the double-blind peer-review process.

Title Page

A separate title page must be submitted containing complete details of all contributing authors, including full names, institutional affiliations, email addresses, and relevant declarations or acknowledgments. A covering letter addressed to the Editor-in-Chief should also be included in this document.

Author Metadata

Accurate metadata for all authors—including names, affiliations, email addresses, and ORCID IDs (where available)—must be provided at the time of submission through the journal’s online system.

Supplementary Documents

Authors must upload all relevant supporting documents as supplementary files. These may include:

• Authorship Declaration Form
• Consent to Publication Form (if applicable)
• Institutional Ethics Committee / IRB Approval Certificate (if applicable)
• Permissions for copyrighted material (if any)

Adherence to these guidelines is mandatory for manuscript consideration. Submissions that do not comply may be returned for correction prior to peer review.

Downloads

1. Instructions to Authors
2. Authorship Declaration Form
3. Consent to Publish Form
4. Title Page Template
5. Reporting Guidelines

The International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology strongly encourages authors to follow established reporting guidelines appropriate to the type of research being submitted. These guidelines promote transparency, completeness, and reproducibility of scientific work.

Authors should consult and adhere to the relevant reporting standards for their manuscript type, including but not limited to:

1. CONSORT – for randomized controlled trials
2. STROBE – for observational studies
3. PRISMA – for systematic reviews and meta-analyses
4. STARD – for diagnostic accuracy studies
5. CARE – for case reports

Authors should download and complete the appropriate checklist corresponding to their study type and submit it as a supplementary file along with the manuscript.

Manuscript Preparation

All manuscripts must be accompanied by a separate Title Page.

Title Page

The Title Page contains essential information about the manuscript and its contributing authors. It must be submitted as a separate file and should not be merged with the main manuscript to ensure the integrity of the double-blind peer-review process.

The Title Page must include the following:

Article Title

A concise, informative title that accurately reflects the content of the manuscript.

Author Information

Full names of all authors along with:

Department(s) and institutional affiliation(s)

Email address of each author

ORCID ID (optional but recommended)

Clearly identify the Corresponding Author with an asterisk (*) and provide a complete mailing address for correspondence

Disclaimers (if any)

Example: “The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of their affiliated institutions.”

Sources of Support

List all financial support, grants, funding agencies, institutional assistance, or materials provided for the research.

Acknowledgments

Mention individuals, organizations, or agencies that contributed to the work but do not meet the criteria for authorship.

Consent to Publication

If applicable, include a statement confirming informed written consent for the publication of biological images, field photographs, or sensitive material. The consent form must be submitted as a supplementary file.

Ethics Approval Status and Number

Required for original research articles involving human participants, animals, plants, microorganisms, or genetic material.

Trial Registration Number

Required for randomized controlled trials.

Word Count

Provide the word count of the main manuscript text, excluding abstract, references, tables, and figures.

Number of Tables and Figures
Covering Letter

A brief letter addressed to the Editor-in-Chief outlining the significance, originality, and relevance of the work, and confirming that the manuscript is not under review or published elsewhere.

Abstract

Structured abstracts are mandatory for the following manuscript types:

Original Research Articles

The abstract must be structured into the following subheadings:
Background | Methods | Results | Conclusion

At the end of the abstract, include 3–5 keywords (preferably MeSH or biological indexing terms).

Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses

The abstract must be structured into:
Background | Methods | Results | Conclusion

Include the Trial Registration Number (if applicable). If not registered, state: “Unregistered trial.”
Conclude with 3–5 keywords.

Case Series

The abstract should follow a three-part structure:
Background | Results | Conclusion

Include 3–5 keywords at the end.

Case Reports

The abstract must be structured into:
Background | Case Presentation | Conclusion

Conclude with 3–5 keywords.

Other Article Types

For all other manuscript categories where an abstract is required, an unstructured abstract summarizing the content of the manuscript should be submitted, followed by 3–5 keywords.

Introduction

The Introduction should clearly establish the scientific context and relevance of the study by presenting the background of the research problem and its significance within the fields of biological systems, plant sciences, ecology, or botanical biotechnology. Authors are expected to describe the broader biological or biotechnological landscape, including existing knowledge gaps, experimental challenges, ecological or agricultural relevance, or theoretical limitations that justify the need for the present investigation.

The section must clearly state the research objective, purpose, or hypothesis being tested or explored, preferably within one to two concise paragraphs. This should provide a clear direction for the study and guide readers on the scope and intent of the research without revealing results or conclusions.

Authors should include only 3–5 directly relevant references to support the background and rationale, avoiding excessive citation. Specific findings or conclusions from the current study should not be included in this section.

Methods

The Methods section should provide sufficient detail to allow other researchers to replicate the study. This includes a comprehensive description of the experimental design, biological materials, data sources, analytical tools, and procedures applied in research related to biological systems and botanical biotechnology.

A clear statement must be included indicating that the study was approved by an appropriate Institutional Ethics Committee, Institutional Review Board (IRB), Animal Ethics Committee, or relevant regulatory authority, where applicable—particularly for studies involving humans, animals, plants, microorganisms, or genetic material.

Authors should clearly specify:

1. Study setting (e.g., laboratory, greenhouse, field site, research station, controlled environment).
2. Timeframe during which the study was conducted.
3. Study design (e.g., experimental, observational, molecular, genomic, physiological, ecological, or computational study).
4. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for biological samples, organisms, datasets, or experimental units.
5. Primary and secondary objectives or outcome measures.
6. Detailed experimental procedures, including instruments, laboratory equipment, reagents, growth conditions, sequencing platforms, imaging methods, or cultivation techniques.
7. Software and analytical tools used (e.g., R, SPSS, Python, BLAST, ImageJ), including version numbers and sources.
8. Biological databases or repositories used (e.g., GenBank, EMBL, PDB), including methods of access and analysis.
9. Established methodologies should be cited appropriately. For modified or novel techniques, authors must provide sufficient explanation, justification, and discussion of potential limitations.
10. Where applicable, chemicals, reagents, plant growth regulators, microbial strains, or biological treatments should be identified using standard scientific nomenclature, including concentrations, dosages, and application methods.

The statistical analysis must be described in detail, including the statistical tests used, assumptions, software, and rationale for method selection. Authors should avoid relying solely on p-values and are encouraged to report confidence intervals, effect sizes, or biologically meaningful measures of variation.

Results

The Results section should present findings in a clear, logical, and objective sequence, supported by tables, figures, and concise textual descriptions. Begin with the most important findings, followed by secondary or supporting results. All reported results must correspond directly to the objectives outlined in the Methods section.

Authors should:

Clearly present primary and secondary findings.

Avoid redundancy by summarizing results in the text while providing detailed data in tables or figures.

Use absolute values alongside derived statistics (e.g., percentages, ratios, fold changes) for clarity.

Avoid duplicating the same data across tables and figures; select the most effective format for presentation.

Where appropriate, results may be organized under subheadings such as:

1. Experimental Conditions or Sample Characteristics
2. Biological, Physiological, or Molecular Observations
3. Genetic, Biochemical, or Metabolic Responses
4. Comparative or Treatment-Based Outcomes
5. Ecological, Agricultural, or Functional Impacts
6. Extended datasets, raw measurements, or detailed analyses may be submitted as supplementary material when essential for transparency but too extensive for inclusion in the main text.
7. Graphs or charts should be used when they provide clearer visualization than tables. Statistical terminology must be used accurately and only when supported by the study design and analysis.

Discussion & Conclusion

Discussion

The Discussion should begin with a concise summary of the key findings, emphasizing their significance within the context of biological systems or botanical biotechnology. Authors are encouraged to explore potential biological mechanisms, physiological processes, ecological interactions, or biotechnological applications that may explain the observed results.

Highlight the novel contributions of the study and compare findings with existing literature, discussing agreements, discrepancies, or advancements over previous research. Interpret the results in light of relevant biological theories, experimental evidence, or applied frameworks, and discuss their broader scientific or practical implications.

Authors must clearly acknowledge the limitations of the study, such as sample size, experimental constraints, environmental variability, methodological assumptions, or data availability, and explain how these factors may influence interpretation.

Avoid repeating detailed numerical data already presented in the Results section. Instead, focus on interpretation, synthesis, and scientific relevance.

Conclusion

The Conclusion should provide a clear and concise summary of the overall significance of the study, directly aligned with the stated objectives. Conclusions must be supported by the data presented and should not overstate the findings.

Distinguish clearly between statistical significance and biological or practical relevance. Avoid unsupported claims regarding applications or benefits. Any new hypotheses should be explicitly identified as exploratory and presented as directions for future research.

References

General Considerations Related to References

Authors are expected to provide accurate, complete, and verifiable references to original scientific sources to ensure the reliability, transparency, and traceability of published research in biological systems and botanical biotechnology.

References must not be used to serve personal, institutional, or commercial interests of authors, editors, or reviewers. Self-citation should be limited and must be clearly justified by its relevance to the current study.

Authors must avoid citing articles from predatory or non-peer-reviewed journals. While review articles may be cited to provide an overview of existing knowledge, they should not replace citations of original experimental or observational studies, as reviews may not always fully reflect the primary data.

Overly extensive reference lists should be avoided. Authors are encouraged to cite a focused selection of key and recent studies that directly support the background, methodology, results, and interpretation of their work. Additional references may be included as supplementary material or accessed through recognized scientific databases.

When referencing unpublished or non-public material, the following guidelines apply:

Articles that have been accepted but not yet published should be cited as “in press” or “forthcoming.”

Manuscripts that have been submitted but not accepted should be cited as “unpublished observations” and must include written permission from the original authors.

Personal communications should be cited only when essential and not available from public sources. In such cases, include the communicator’s name and date in parentheses within the text, and obtain written permission confirming accuracy.

Where applicable, authors should cite unique and persistent identifiers, such as DOIs, accession numbers, or dataset identifiers, for biological datasets, genetic sequences, or repositories used in the research.

References must be numbered consecutively in the order in which they first appear in the text and cited using Arabic numerals in parentheses, for example:
“Plant stress responses are regulated by complex signaling networks [1].”

All references must conform strictly to the citation style specified in the Author Guidelines, and authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of all reference entries.

Reference Style and Format

The International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology follows the Vancouver referencing style, in accordance with the guidelines of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), Citing Medicine, 2nd edition.

General Reference Guidelines

References must be numbered consecutively according to their first citation in the text.

Reference numbers should be placed in square brackets, immediately after the punctuation mark, for example:
Photosynthetic efficiency is influenced by environmental stress factors. [1,2]

Use “et al.” after the sixth author when listing multiple authors.

Avoid citing predatory, unverified, or non-peer-reviewed sources.

Cite datasets, genomic sequences, or biological repositories using persistent identifiers where available.

Personal communications and unpublished work must include appropriate permissions.

Accepted but unpublished articles should be cited as “in press.”

Reference Examples

Article in a journal
Koonin EV, Altschul SF, Bork P. BRCA1 protein products: functional motifs. Nat Genet. 1996;13:266–267.

Article in a journal supplement
Orengo CA, Bray JE, Hubbard T, LoConte L, Sillitoe I. Analysis and assessment of ab initio three-dimensional prediction, secondary structure, and contacts prediction. Proteins. 1999;43(Suppl 3):149–170.

In press article
Kharitonov SA, Barnes PJ. Clinical aspects of exhaled nitric oxide. Eur Respir J. In press.

Published abstract
Zvaifler NJ, Burger JA, Marinova-Mutafchieva L, Taylor P, Maini RN. Mesenchymal cells, stromal-derived factor-1, and rheumatoid arthritis [abstract]. Arthritis Rheum. 1999;42:250.

Article in conference proceedings
Jones X. Zeolites and synthetic mechanisms. In: Proceedings of the First National Conference on Porous Sieves; 1996 Jun 27–30; Baltimore. Smith Y, editor. Stoneham: Butterworth-Heinemann; 1996. p. 16–27.

Book chapter
Schnepf E. From prey via endosymbiont to plastids: comparative studies in dinoflagellates. In: Lewin RA, editor. Origins of Plastids. Vol 2. 2nd ed. New York: Chapman and Hall; 1993. p. 53–76.

Whole issue of a journal
Ponder B, Johnston S, Chodosh L, editors. Innovative oncology. Breast Cancer Res. 1998;10:1–72.

Conference proceedings (whole volume)
Smith Y, editor. Proceedings of the First National Conference on Porous Sieves; 1996 Jun 27–30; Baltimore. Stoneham: Butterworth-Heinemann; 1996.

Complete book
Margulis L. Origin of Eukaryotic Cells. New Haven: Yale University Press; 1970.

Monograph or book in a series
Hunninghake GW, Gadek JE. The alveolar macrophage. In: Harris TJR, editor. Cultured Human Cells and Tissues. New York: Academic Press; 1995. p. 54–56. (Methods and Perspectives in Cell Biology; vol. 1).

Book with institutional author
Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification. Annual Report. London; 1999.

Ph.D. thesis
Kohavi R. Wrappers for performance enhancement and oblivious decision graphs [Ph.D. thesis]. Stanford (CA): Stanford University, Computer Science Department; 1995.

Tables

Tables should be used to present scientific data clearly, concisely, and efficiently, enabling accurate interpretation and comparison of results. Tables must complement the text rather than duplicate it and should provide precise and well-organized information without overloading the narrative content.

Each table must be self-explanatory and include a brief yet descriptive title placed above the table. The title should allow readers to understand the table independently of the main text.

Tables must be numbered consecutively in the order of their first citation in the manuscript (e.g., Table 1, Table 2, etc.).

Each column should include a short and clear heading. Any nonstandard abbreviations must be explained in footnotes below the table and not within the column headings.

Symbols or superscripts (e.g., *, †, ‡) may be used to provide clarification or explanatory notes. These symbols must be clearly defined in the table footnotes.

Authors should avoid repeating the same data in both the text and tables. Tables should instead be used to summarize key findings, experimental comparisons, or quantitative results.

If data are reproduced or adapted from previously published or unpublished sources, appropriate acknowledgment must be provided, and written permission must be obtained where required.

Supplementary tables containing extensive datasets that are too detailed for inclusion in the main manuscript may be published online. In such cases, an explanatory note should be included in the text (e.g., “Supplementary Table 1 is available in the online version of this article”).

Submission Requirements for Tables

Submit all tables as editable text (not as images).

Clearly indicate table placement within the manuscript (e.g., [Insert Table 1 here]).

All tables must be submitted along with the manuscript to ensure availability to peer reviewers during the review process.

Illustrations (Figures)

Figures and illustrations should be used to enhance scientific clarity and effectively support the data presented in the text. Authors must ensure that all images meet high-quality publication standards.

Image Format and Quality

All figures must be submitted in high-resolution TIFF or JPEG format. Images must be sharp, clear, and free of pixelation. Low-resolution images will not be accepted.

Biological and Microscopic Images

Photomicrographs, histological sections, fluorescence images, gel electrophoresis results, and other biological images must be submitted in high resolution.

Photomicrographs must include internal scale bars.

Any arrows, symbols, or labels must contrast clearly with the background.

The scale, magnification, and staining or imaging technique must be specified in the figure legend.

Comparative images (e.g., control vs. treatment) must be captured under consistent conditions, including lighting, exposure, and magnification.

Figure Numbering

Figures must be numbered consecutively according to their order of appearance in the text (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).

Previously Published Figures

If a figure has been published previously, authors must acknowledge the original source and provide written permission from the copyright holder for reproduction, unless the material is in the public domain.

Figure Legends

Figure legends must be provided on a separate page within the manuscript file and clearly labeled with Arabic numerals corresponding to each figure. All symbols, arrows, or annotations used in figures must be fully explained in the legends.

Note: Figures should not be embedded within the main text. Authors must indicate approximate placement by noting, for example, [Insert Figure 1 here].

Units of Measurement

To ensure consistency and clarity in scientific reporting, all units of measurement used in submissions to the International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology must follow internationally accepted standards.

Metric System: Measurements of length, mass, volume, and area must be reported using the metric system (e.g., m, g, L) and their decimal multiples (e.g., mm, mg, mL).

Temperature: Report all temperatures in degrees Celsius (°C).

Concentrations: Chemical and biological concentrations should be expressed using SI units (e.g., mol/L, mmol/L) or mass-based units (e.g., mg/mL). Where appropriate, alternative units may be provided in parentheses.

Laboratory and Experimental Values: Report values in SI units wherever possible to ensure international comparability.

Authors should maintain consistent unit usage throughout the manuscript and avoid mixing unit systems within the same dataset or section.

Abbreviations and Symbols

To maintain clarity and readability for a broad scientific audience, authors must adhere to the following guidelines:

Standard Abbreviations Only: Use only widely recognized and accepted abbreviations. Avoid nonstandard or invented abbreviations.

No Abbreviations in Title and Abstract: Abbreviations should not appear in the title or abstract. These sections should remain clear and descriptive for indexing and accessibility.

First Mention Rule: At first occurrence in the main text, spell out the term in full followed by the abbreviation in parentheses (e.g., Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)). Subsequent references may use the abbreviation alone.

Units of Measurement Exception: Standard scientific units (e.g., kg, cm, μm, mL) do not require definition.

Symbols: Symbols must conform to standard scientific usage and be defined at first mention in the text or in table and figure legends.

Consistent and appropriate use of abbreviations and symbols enhances comprehension, accuracy, and uniformity across published articles.

Types of Manuscripts

The International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology accepts a broad range of manuscript types to promote high-quality scientific communication and innovation in biological sciences, plant biology, and biotechnological research.

Editorials

Editorials are typically invited by the Editorial Board and provide expert perspectives on emerging research trends, scientific challenges, policy developments, or technological innovations in biological systems and botanical biotechnology.

Original Research Articles

Original Research Articles should present novel, significant, and methodologically sound research findings in areas such as plant biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, systems biology, ecology, microbiology, bioinformatics, agricultural biotechnology, and related disciplines.

Manuscripts must include:

• A structured abstract (Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion)
• 3–5 keywords
• Clearly organized sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion

The Introduction should establish the scientific rationale and objectives. The Methods section must describe experimental design, materials, and analytical techniques. Results should be presented clearly without duplication. The Discussion should interpret findings in the context of existing literature, and the Conclusion should summarize key outcomes and limitations.

Review Articles

Review Articles, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and narrative reviews, are encouraged. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses must follow recognized reporting standards such as PRISMA. Reviews should provide critical synthesis, identify research gaps, and highlight future directions in biological and biotechnological research.

Short Communications / Brief Reports

Short Communications or Brief Reports present concise but impactful original findings or methodological advances. These manuscripts follow the structure of full-length research articles but are limited to approximately 1500 words, up to three tables or figures, and 15–20 references.

Case Reports and Case Series

Case Reports and Case Series describe rare, novel, or significant biological, ecological, or biotechnological observations, such as unique plant traits, unusual microbial interactions, innovative biotechnological applications, or exceptional experimental outcomes.

Case Reports should:

Not exceed 1000–1200 words

Include an abstract, keywords, introduction, case description, discussion, and conclusion

Be limited to three figures/tables and up to ten references

The manuscript title should end with the phrase “A Case Report.”

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor may comment on recently published articles, discuss emerging issues, or present concise scientific observations. These should not exceed 500 words and five references.

Image-Based Articles

The journal accepts Image-Based Articles, including high-quality biological images such as photomicrographs, histological sections, fluorescence images, gel electrophoresis results, or field photographs. These submissions should include brief explanatory text, limited to 500 words, and up to five references.

Additional Article Categories

International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology also considers submissions in innovative formats, including:

• Technical Notes
• Methods and Protocols
• Innovation & Technique Papers
• Quality Improvement Projects
• Evidence-Based Reports
• Short Communications

All submissions must comply with the journal’s formatting and ethical standards and will undergo peer review unless specified otherwise.

Manuscript Submission

Manuscripts must be submitted online through the journal’s official website. Figures and tables may be submitted separately or embedded within the manuscript file. The maximum allowable file size for any individual submission is 4 MB.

Authorship Criteria

The International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology upholds strict ethical standards regarding authorship and contribution transparency. All submissions must include a detailed authorship contribution statement.

An author is defined as an individual who has made a substantial intellectual contribution to the work and meets all of the following criteria:

Significant contribution to the conception or design of the study, or acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.

Involvement in drafting the manuscript or critically revising it for important intellectual content.

Final approval of the version to be published and accountability for all aspects of the work.

Activities such as funding acquisition, routine data collection, technical assistance, or general supervision alone do not justify authorship. Contributors who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged with their consent.

Honorary and ghost authorship are strictly prohibited. Any authorship disputes will be addressed in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.

Copyright

By submitting a manuscript, authors grant the journal the right of first publication. Authors retain copyright of their work unless otherwise stated in the publication agreement.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism in any form is considered a serious ethical violation. All submissions are screened for plagiarism prior to peer review. If plagiarism is detected, authors will be notified and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with COPE guidelines, which may include rejection or retraction.

Archiving Policy

The International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology is committed to long-term digital preservation and accessibility of published content. The journal utilizes the LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) system to ensure permanent archiving through a distributed network of participating libraries.

This approach safeguards published articles against data loss and ensures continued global access for researchers and readers.

Post-Publication Distribution

Authors are permitted and encouraged to share the published version of their articles through open-access repositories, institutional websites, academic networks, and social media platforms.

All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution License, allowing unrestricted distribution, reproduction, and reuse of the work, provided the original authors and the journal are properly cited.

Innovation & Technique

This category welcomes manuscripts describing novel experimental techniques, tools, protocols, models, or biotechnological innovations relevant to biological systems and plant sciences.

Submissions should clearly describe:

• The innovation or technique
• Its development and implementation
• Scientific rationale and advantages
• Safety, reliability, and limitations
• Supporting data demonstrating effectiveness or applicability
• Quality Improvement Projects

International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology encourages submissions reporting Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs) aimed at improving laboratory practices, research workflows, agricultural systems, or biotechnological processes.

Manuscripts should define the problem addressed, baseline conditions, intervention strategies, methodologies, outcomes, and sustainability of improvements. Evidence-based and reproducible projects are strongly encouraged.

Copyright Notice

Authors publishing in International Journal of Biological Systems and Botanical Biotechnology retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication. All published works are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).