Bring Your Science—and Your Reviews—to MBoC

If you’ve ever gone through peer review, you know the feeling: thoughtful feedback, rounds of revision… and sometimes, a decision that sends you back to square one.

At Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBoC), that work doesn’t have to go to waste.

For years, MBoC has offered authors the option to submit their manuscripts along with prior peer review reports from another journal—a feature that can save time and reduce redundant rounds of review. Many authors aren’t aware this option exists, which is why we’re highlighting it now.

A Smarter Way to Submit

If your manuscript has already been reviewed elsewhere, you don’t need to start over.

MBoC allows you to include your previous reviewer reports, decision letter, and your response to reviewers as part of your submission. These materials can help editors make faster, more informed decisions and, in some cases, avoid sending the manuscript out for another full round of review.

In short: the work you’ve already done can help move your paper forward.

How to Submit Prior Reviews

Submitting prior reviews is simple through MBoC’s eJournal Press (eJP) system:

• Upload reviewer reports and the decision letter as “Information for Review Only”
• Include your response to reviewers as the cover letter

Authors should ensure that all reviews are included and unaltered. At the Monitoring Editor’s discretion, these materials may be shared with new reviewers.

Built for How Scientists Work Today

Expedited consideration with prior reviews is just one of several flexible ways to submit to MBoC:

• Direct submission through eJP, including the option to upload prior reviews as supplemental materials
• Transfer from bioRxiv, so posting a preprint won’t slow you down
• Review Commons integration, allowing you to submit with journal-independent reviews
• Manuscript transfer from partner journals like Journal of Cell Biology and Journal of Cell Science

Wherever your manuscript is in the process, there’s a pathway forward.

What We Publish

MBoC reflects the full scope of modern cell biology—from molecules to whole organisms. We publish:

• Research Articles and Brief Reports
• Methods and Resources
• Reviews, Perspectives, and Technical Perspectives

We’re also expanding a growing set of thematic areas, including Quantitative Cell Biology, Forces On and Within Cells, Protein Quality Control, and the Cell Biology of the Nervous System, among others.

Fast, Fair, and Scientist-Led

At its core, MBoC is run by scientists, for scientists. That means:

• Constructive, expert peer review
• Guaranteed peer review for ASCB members
• Fast timelines
  • ~3 days to first decision
  • ~27 days to post-review decision
  • ~14 days from acceptance to publication

And your work gets seen—MBoC reaches more than 3.5 million readers annually.

What Authors Are Saying

“Rapid and fair review… cut out pointless revision steps.”
— Daniel Lew, MIT

“Constructive, detailed reviews with critical feedback on the science.”
— Sidney Shaw, Indiana University Bloomington

“It felt like talking to a real human who understands the reality of research labs.”

Move Your Research Forward

Publishing shouldn’t mean starting over.

At MBoC, you can bring your science—and your reviews with you, saving time and keeping momentum on your work.

Explore the latest research at molbiolcell.org or submit your manuscript at mbcpapers.org.