Biology Literature Review

Preparation of MiniReview Manuscripts
Trends in Biotechnology MiniReviews should present an integrative and original perspective on an
important research-related topic of interest to the biotech community rather than an exhaustive review
of this topic. The aim should be to provide a framework for, or interpretation of, a current issue. Please
note that hypotheses without published support are not suitable.
Our audience ranges from student to senior scientist so articles must be accessible to a wide readership.
Please avoid jargon, but do not oversimplify: be accurate and precise throughout.
Composition of the Manuscript
Title (8 words)
Titles should be short and enticing (no more than 8 words).
Author
Please include author name and affiliation details.
Abstract (50 words)
• Summarize the key points of your paper, and encapsulate the take-home message for a non
specialist reader.
• Emphasize recent developments or novel conclusions, concepts, or models discussed in your
paper.
• About 50 words.
• Must not cite references.
Graphical Abstract
• The goal of the Graphical Abstract is to provide a visual summary of the most important point(s)
of your paper in a clear, didactic, and impactful way.
• Carefully consider which key points the Graphical Abstract should outline, how these points are
related, and how their relations can be best outlined in your Graphical Abstract.
• The Graphical Abstract should be originally developed.
Main text
Structure
• Start with an accessible introductory paragraph outlining why the subject is important and why
you are writing about it now. Please use a descriptive heading rather than “Introduction” for this
section.
• Use concise, informative subheadings and provide clear links between sections.
• Synthetically cover your anchor paper and 10 recent peer-reviewed primary research papers,
focusing on the main findings of each paper, with findings represented in at least two of the
figures or tables of each paper highlighted and synthesized.
• Finish with clearly stated conclusions, including an indication of future directions and how any
predictions you make can be tested. This section should be entitled ‘Concluding remarks’ or
‘Concluding remarks and future perspectives’.
• Be concise in your writing. The paper must not exceed five pages of text, not including a cover
sheet, references, figures and tables.
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Formatting
• Use 11-pt Calibri font and single spacing (not 1.15”).
• Number the pages of the manuscript.
• Use informative headings (in Bold) and not, for example, Introduction, Discussion. However, a
‘Concluding Remarks’ section is encouraged. Subheadings (in italics) are allowed in all sections
(except the Introductory section). Please do not include more than two levels of headings.
• Spell out Latin names of organisms (in italics) in full at first usage.
References
• References should be numbered and cited in the text in square brackets in the order they
appear (e.g., [1] or [7-9]). If you are using EndNote, we encourage you to use a style file that can
be downloaded here.
• Limit the number of references to 15 (the anchor paper, at least 10 primary research papers,
and maybe a few overview papers cited in the first couple of paragraphs).
• Concentrate on the most important primary research from the past two years.
• PhD theses and websites should be cited in the main text in parentheses, not as part of the
reference list.
o PhD theses: cite in the main text in parentheses: (R. Arthur Goode, PhD thesis,
University of Hawaii, 2023)
o URLs/website addresses: cite in the main text in parentheses: (http://www.xxx.yyy.zzz).
Citation Style
• For journal references: give authors’ names (if two authors, print both names separated by
‘and’; if three or more authors, use et al. after first author); year (in parentheses); title (in roman
text; do not capitalize words unless needed); journal name in italics (abbreviate journal name
using Biological Abstracts); volume; and complete page range. For example:
o Gold, B. (2023) Effect of cationic charge localization on DNA structure. Biopolymers 65,
173–179
o Han, Y. and Barillas-Mury, C. (2023) Implications of Time Bomb model of ookinete
invasion of midgut cells. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 32, 1311
o Gruber, D.M. et al. (2023) Progesterone and neurology. Gynecol. Endocrinol. 4, 41–45
o Jovani, R. Malaria transmission, sex ratio, and erythrocytes with two gametocytes.
Trends Parasitol. (in press)
• For online journal references, articles online ahead of print, or preprint references: give the
authors’ names (as above); year (in parentheses); title (in roman text); journal name in italics
(abbreviate journal name using Biological Abstracts); volume; article number. For example:
o Rumin, J. et al. (2023) Toward the optimization of genetic polymorphism with EMS
induced mutagenesis in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Algal Res. 74, 103148
• For whole books: give editors’ names; year (in parentheses); title (in italics); and publisher. For
example:
o Chowdhury, N. and Alonso Aguirre, A., eds (2001) Helminths of Wildlife, Science
Publishers Inc.
• For book chapters: give chapter authors; year (in parentheses); chapter title; book title (in
italics); editors’ names; page numbers and publisher. For example:
o Clutton-Brock, T. and Godfray, H.C.J. (1991) Parental investment. In Behavioural Ecology
(3rd edn) (Krebs, J.R. and Davies, N.B., eds), pp. 234–262, Blackwell
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• For patent references:
o Bloggs, J. et al. Company name that actually owns the patent. Title of patent, Code
o Supply the patent number along with the granting agency/authority.
Figures
Figures serve several purposes in the context of a review article:
• Summarize large amounts of information in a compact space
• Complement and simplify explanations in the main text
• Emphasize the important information in an article
• Help the reader efficiently absorb the information you are presenting
However, figures should be concise and clear, and not unnecessarily duplicate what can be stated in a
few lines in the text.
Figure Legends (250 words per legend)
• Legends are below the Figure.
• Legends should start with a one-sentence, explanatory title, followed by the actual legend that
explains what is in the figure.
• Legends must explain the figure fully without reference to the text.
• Figures must be cited in the main text.
Tables
• Require a single-sentence title, but a legend is optional. Title and legend are above the Table.
• Tables must be cited in the main text.
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Instructions to Authors S25 (2) Writing Assignment Rubric S25 (3)