PLOS Genetics is a highly regarded peer-reviewed scientific journal dedicated to publishing significant research in the expansive field of genetics. Launched in 2005, this journal is an initiative of the Public Library of Science (PLOS), an organization committed to advancing scientific communication. Its mission is to disseminate impactful scientific discoveries and insights, serving as a platform for original contributions that further understanding within the global genetics and genomics community.
The PLOS Open Access Philosophy
PLOS Genetics operates under an open-access publishing model, a core tenet of the Public Library of Science organization. Open access means that all published research articles are freely available to read, download, and reuse immediately upon publication, without any subscription barriers or paywalls. This contrasts with the traditional subscription-based publishing model, where content is only accessible to those who pay a fee.
PLOS’s commitment to open access is rooted in the belief that scientific knowledge should be a public resource. By removing financial barriers, PLOS aims to accelerate scientific discovery and innovation. This model ensures researchers, educators, students, and the public worldwide have equitable access to the latest genetic research, fostering broader dissemination of findings.
Scope and Areas of Research
PLOS Genetics focuses on the broad and interdisciplinary fields of genetics and genomics. The journal publishes original research that provides significant insight into biological processes, covering a wide array of topics. Specific scientific fields regularly featured include:
Human genetics, exploring the genetic basis of human traits and diseases.
Gene discovery and function, delving into how individual genes operate and contribute to biological systems.
Population genetics, which examines genetic variation within and among populations.
Epigenetics, studying heritable changes in gene expression that occur without altering the underlying DNA sequence.
Genome biology, encompassing the structure, function, evolution, and mapping of genomes.
Research published in PLOS Genetics can involve any organism, ranging from viruses and bacteria to plants, fungi, and various animal species, including model organisms like mice and flies, as well as human studies.
Peer Review and Editorial Standards
The quality control for publications in PLOS Genetics is upheld through a rigorous peer review process. Peer review involves independent expert researchers evaluating submitted manuscripts to assess their scientific validity, methodology, and overall rigor. This process ensures that only technically sound and reliable research is published, maintaining the integrity of the scientific record. Manuscripts undergo an initial evaluation by Senior Editors, with a substantial proportion rejected without external review if they do not meet initial standards.
The journal’s editorial board, composed of active, expert researchers from diverse subfields within genetics and genomics, oversees the review process and makes publication decisions. For a manuscript to be considered for publication, it must demonstrate:
Originality
High importance to researchers in the field, and broad interest to the genetics and genomics community
Rigorous methodology and substantial evidence supporting their conclusions
Adherence to ethical conduct guidelines
Measuring Journal Influence
The standing of PLOS Genetics within the scientific community is assessed through various metrics, including the journal impact factor. The impact factor is a measure reflecting the average number of citations to recent articles published in a journal, providing an indication of its relative importance in its field. For 2024, PLOS Genetics has an impact factor of 3.7.
Beyond traditional metrics, PLOS emphasizes article-level metrics to gauge the influence of individual research papers more comprehensively. These metrics include the number of views, downloads, and citations each article receives, offering a detailed view of its engagement and reach within the scientific community and beyond. This approach provides a more nuanced understanding of a paper’s impact compared to a single journal-level metric. PLOS Genetics is recognized for its significant contributions to genetic research.