Special Issue: The Integrative Biology of the Heart
Journal of Experimental Biology (JEB) is pleased to welcome submissions to be considered for our upcoming special issue: The Integrative Biology of the Heart. This issue will be coordinated by Guest Editors William Joyce (CIBERCV/CNIC, Spain) and Holly Shiels (University of Manchester, UK).
This special issue will consider the biology of the heart at all levels of organisation, across animal groups and scientific fields. We are calling for novel, forward-looking papers that address the diversity in structure and function of the heart from the cellular level right up to its role in ecophysiological processes, spanning both vertebrate and invertebrate species. The issue will consider plasticity and flexibility of the heart in response to activity and changing environmental conditions, including developmental, ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Although the aim is to have a broadly comparative focus, we are also keen to consider how the biomedical field can inform comparative physiology and vice versa.
Potential topics include consideration of the developmental plasticity of the heart and its function in early developmental stages, endocrine and neural control of cardiac function, plasticity in response to exercise, altitude or temperature, the evolution of the heart and its role in adaptation to climate change.
In order to be considered, papers must contribute to furthering our understanding of cardiac evolution, development or function. For feedback on potential suitability of an article, please submit a pre-submission enquiry to [email protected]. We particularly encourage submissions from early-career researchers.
Papers should be in the form of a Review, Commentary or research paper (Research Article, Short Communication, Methods & Techniques, Theory & Modelling). Please refer to our author guidelines on article types and manuscript preparation for information on preparing your manuscript for JEB, and submit your manuscript through our online submission system. Please highlight that your submission is to be considered for this special issue in your cover letter.
We aim to publish the special issue in summer 2024*, and it will be widely promoted online and at key global conferences.
The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2024.
Why choose Journal of Experimental Biology?
- Submissions handled by expert academic Editors
- Competitive decision speeds and rapid publication
- Preprint-friendly policies and format-free submission
- Strong commitment at first decision – over 95% of invited revisions accepted
- Active promotion of published papers through social media and press releases
- Free to publish or Open Access options available
- Easy one-click transfer option to Biology Open
- Not-for-profit publisher
Are you eligible for fee-free Open Access publishing in JEB?
JEB is a Transformative Journal and offers several publishing options that comply with Open Access funder mandates. We offer fee-free Open Access publishing to corresponding authors of institutions that have a Read & Publish agreement with The Company of Biologists. Check to see if your institute is taking part in our Read & Publish initiative.
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The Company of Biologists currently plants a native tree in a UK forest for each Research and Review article published in JEB 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 JEB.
*Please note that, according to timing and volume of submissions, not all articles accepted for publication will be included in the special issue; they may instead be published in earlier or later issues of the journal.
