Call for Papers – In Vitro Models of Human Disease to Inform Mechanism and Drug Discovery
Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM) invites you to submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue: In Vitro Models of Human Disease to Inform Mechanism and Drug Discovery. This issue will be coordinated by DMM Editor Vivian Li (The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK), alongside Guest Editors Austin Smith (University of Exeter, UK) and Joseph Wu (Stanford University School of Medicine, USA).
The deadline for submitting articles is Monday 6 October 2025*.
Advances in the development and application of advanced human stem-cell-based models and tools are critical for disease research and therapeutic development. In this DMM special issue, we welcome Research Articles describing the application of complex human cellular models, such as organoids, assembloids, tumour organoids, organoids-on-a-chip and gastruloids, to inform disease mechanisms and drive the discovery of novel therapeutics in any disease area. We encourage Resources & Methods submissions that address reproducibility, scalability and model development, as well as new technologies, tools, methodology and platforms (e.g. 3D printing and bioengineering).
Submissions should describe original research in the form of a Research Article or Resources & Methods article**. Please read the author guidelines for information on preparing a manuscript for DMM, and submit your manuscript via our online submission system.
Please highlight that your submission is to be considered for the special issue in your cover letter. Prospective authors are welcome to send presubmission enquiries, or direct any queries, to [email protected].
The special issue is scheduled for publication in summer 2026, although note that our continuous publication model means that DMM will publish your article as soon as it is accepted; you will not have to wait for the rest of the issue to be ready. The special issue will be widely promoted online and at key global conferences, guaranteeing maximum exposure for your work.
* Any papers accepted for publication after the deadline for the launch issue will be published in later issues and added to the compiled online subject collection. Contact us for further details.
** Research and Resources & Methods articles are subject to a $4,000 Open Access Article Processing Charge.
Stay up to date on DMM news
Never want to miss a new call for papers or a published special issue? Want to learn more about how DMM supports its community through grants and meetings? Sign up to DMM news and receive the latest news from the journal in your inbox. You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Mastodon and Facebook.
Why choose DMM?
- Submissions handled by expert academic Editors
- Competitive decision speeds and rapid publication
- Preprint-friendly policies and format-free submission
- Open Access publication of all articles - easy online payment system
- Easy one-click transfer option to Biology Open
- Not-for-profit publisher
- Tree planted for each published Research and Review article - ancient woodland protected for peer review
Are you eligible for fee-free Open Access publishing in DMM?
Disease Models & Mechanisms is included in many of the Read & Publish agreements offered by The Company of Biologists. This enables discounted or fee-free publication of an uncapped number of Research Articles in DMM for corresponding authors at participating institutions. Check to see if your institute is taking part in our Read & Publish initiative.
Contribute to The Forest of Biologists
The Company of Biologists currently plants a native tree in a UK forest for each Research and Review article published in DMM and its sister journals. In addition, we are protecting and restoring ancient woodland in recognition of our peer reviewers. The Forest of Biologists is a celebration of the work of the scientists whose research and expertise fills our journals. It aims to counteract nature loss, and safeguard some of the most critically endangered ecosystems. Visit The Forest of Biologists.
View previous special issues from DMM.
Last updated: 13 May 2025
