bioRxiv is an online preprint server for the biological sciences. It facilitates rapid sharing of scientific research by allowing researchers to post manuscripts online, making them publicly accessible before they undergo formal peer review and publication in traditional academic journals. This accelerates the dissemination of new scientific findings.
The Concept of Preprints
A preprint is a version of a scholarly paper made available to the public before it has undergone formal peer review and publication in a journal. This practice has roots dating back to the 1960s, gaining significant traction in physics with arXiv, launched in 1991.
Preprints provide immediate access to new scientific findings, circumventing the often lengthy traditional peer review process. This rapid dissemination increases transparency, allows early feedback from the broader scientific community, and helps authors establish priority for their discoveries.
bioRxiv’s Contribution to Biology
Launched in November 2013 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, bioRxiv is a non-profit platform dedicated to preprints in the life sciences. It has since transitioned to being operated by openRxiv. The platform covers a wide array of biological disciplines.
Researchers upload their manuscripts, which undergo a basic screening for non-scientific content, plagiarism, and potential health risks, but not formal peer review. Once screened, papers become publicly accessible, usually within 72 hours. This rapid availability accelerates research cycles, fosters collaboration, and promotes open science practices. Many journals now accept manuscripts previously posted on bioRxiv, with some offering direct submission through initiatives like “bioRxiv to Journals” (B2J).
Interpreting Preprint Research
Research findings presented on bioRxiv have not undergone formal peer review. Peer review is a rigorous evaluation process where independent experts in the field assess the methodology, findings, and reasoning of a study to ensure its validity and quality. The absence of this formal review means that the content of a preprint is preliminary and subject to change.
Readers should approach preprint findings with a critical eye, recognizing that the information has not yet been vetted by the scientific community. While preprints offer early access to new research, they may contain errors or omissions. Many preprints eventually proceed to formal publication in peer-reviewed journals, and readers should always seek out the subsequent peer-reviewed version for the most thoroughly evaluated and finalized research.