npj Genomic Medicine is a peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journal that publishes research on the application of genomics to medicine. Part of the Nature Portfolio and published by Springer Nature, it was established in 2016. Its primary mission is to disseminate research that advances how genomic information is used to improve human health and patient care.
Aims and Scope of the Journal
The journal aims to publish research with direct relevance to understanding, diagnosing, and treating human diseases through genomics. It seeks to bridge the gap between foundational genomic discoveries and their practical applications in a clinical setting. The scope is centered on work that can influence medical practice, including studies on diagnostics, disease prediction, and targeted therapeutic strategies.
npj Genomic Medicine considers papers that analyze individuals, families, and larger populations to uncover the genomic underpinnings of health and disease. By focusing on translational and clinical studies, the journal provides a venue for research that moves beyond basic science. It supports findings that can lead to new clinical guidelines for using genomic data in patient management.
Key Research Areas and Article Types
npj Genomic Medicine covers a wide spectrum of research areas. A significant focus is cancer genomics, which involves studying the genomic alterations in tumors to guide diagnosis and treatment. Another prominent area is pharmacogenomics, which examines how a person’s genetic makeup influences their response to drugs. The journal also prioritizes research on rare and undiagnosed diseases, where genomic analysis can provide definitive diagnoses.
Other key topics include:
- Microbial genomics and its role in human health
- Implementation science investigating the integration of genomic medicine
- The ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genomic medicine
- Immunogenomics and systems medicine
- The study of disease-related genetic variations like point mutations
To accommodate this research, the journal publishes several manuscript types. Original research Articles present new findings from experimental studies. Review articles offer comprehensive summaries of specific topics, while Perspectives and Commentaries provide forums for expert viewpoints.
Journal Metrics and Impact
The influence of a scientific journal is assessed using various metrics. The Impact Factor reflects the yearly average number of citations to recent articles, and npj Genomic Medicine had a 2024 Impact Factor of 4.67.
For its content to be discoverable by researchers, the journal is indexed in major scientific databases. These include PubMed Central, Scopus, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and Google Scholar. Indexing ensures that published articles are included in literature searches, which increases their visibility.
The journal’s performance is also evaluated through other measures like the CiteScore and the SCImago Journal Rank (SJR). These metrics offer a comprehensive view of a journal’s citation impact, helping authors gauge its position within genetics and medicine.
The Submission and Peer Review Process
For authors looking to publish in npj Genomic Medicine, the process begins with preparing a manuscript according to the journal’s guidelines. As an open-access journal, all articles are made freely available upon publication. This model is supported through Article Processing Charges (APCs), which are £2790, $3790, or €3190. The journal has waiver programs for authors from low-income countries.
Once a manuscript is submitted, it undergoes an initial screening by the editorial team. This check ensures the paper aligns with the journal’s scope and meets its standards for scientific quality. If the manuscript passes this assessment, it is sent for single-blind peer review.
This process uses independent experts to provide an unbiased evaluation of the scientific content. Reviewers provide feedback to the editors, who then make a final decision to accept, reject, or request revisions. Authors can track their submission’s progress through the journal’s online portal.