Submissions

91影库Today Submissions

Submissions

Write for us

91影库Today is an award-winning news magazine published by the 91影库 and Molecular Biology. It is updated online regularly and free for all to access. It is distributed in print to 91影库members four times a year — join 91影库to receive the print edition. Submissions published in 91影库Today reflect solely the authors’ views and not the official positions of the 91影库or the authors’ institutions. Endorsement by 91影库Today or the 91影库of products or services mentioned is not implied.

All submissions, pitches and inquiries should be sent to asbmbtoday@asbmb.org.

Overview

About our content

The magazine publishes:

News and commentary on budgetary and legislative issues.
Profiles of emerging and established scientists.
Investigative reports on scientific controversies.
Articles about recent trends in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Reports about new research projects and findings.
Personal essays by scientists and science students.
Instructional, opinion and advice articles about education, diversity in science and professional development.

About our readers

Though most 91影库members are academic research scientists, our online readership includes students, science communications specialists, policymakers, educators and others who are interested in biomedical research. Writers should write for scientifically literate readers but not necessarily practicing scientists — and certainly not specialists.

About our writers

Articles from 91影库members and others in the life sciences community are welcome. (See calls for submissions below.) Please browse recent issues of the magazine to see if your article idea is a good fit before contacting us.

From time to time, 91影库Today may accept budding science writers into a contributors program. Send a letter of interest to asbmbtoday@asbmb.org. Use the subject line "Joining contributors program."

Calls for submissions

How is artificial intelligence changing the way you advance science?

Deadline: July 15, 2025 (first draft)
Length: About 500 words

What to write: A short true story about your experience using artificial intelligence in your work as a scientist.

AI is rapidly transforming the landscape of science — from benchwork and bioinformatics to science communication, industry applications and policy development. We invite scientists at all career stages to share personal stories about how AI has shaped their research, workflows, collaborations or outreach.

Has AI helped you make a breakthrough, automate tedious tasks, uncover new patterns or better communicate science to the public? Whether you're training models, experimenting with ChatGPT, analyzing big data or navigating the ethical questions of AI in science — we want to hear your story.

Your essay can focus on an “aha” moment, a challenge you overcame or simply the way AI is becoming part of your daily scientific life. Help us explore the intersection of science and machine learning — and what it means for the future of research.

For more detailed guidelines, email Marissa at mlocke@asbmb.org.

Personal essays

Deadline: Open

Essays are flexible in length and nature but are always first-person narratives of interest to a broad readership. Submissions are welcome year-round, and themed calls for submissions are issued regularly. Please include "Essay" in your subject line and a bit about your qualifications in your pitch.

Obituaries

Deadline: Open

91影库Today publishes two types of obituaries.

Retrospectives reflect on the lives and scientific achievements of recently deceased researchers. They are often — but not always — invited. They should be about 91影库members who made significant contributions to the field and/or scientific community. You may submit ideas, pitches and queries for Retrospectives.

In memoriam articles are short (usually fewer than 300 words) obituaries about 91影库members and assigned by the editor to willing contributors. To be considered for "In Memoriam" contributions, submit a letter with your qualifications with the subject line "In memoriam contributor."

Professional development and career insights

Deadline: Open

Professional development articles (usually between 500 and 1,000 words) address various aspects of careers. Advice columns, lists of tips, personal reflections and opinion pieces are welcome. Include "Professional development" in the subject line of your pitch or submission.

Career insights articles (usually between 500 and 1,000 words) are strictly first-person case studies about careers outside of academia. We welcome submissions and recommendations of authors to invite. Include "Career insights" in the subjec tline of your pitch or submission.

Reader responses

Deadline: Open

Readers responses are short letters and formal responses. Please put "Reader response" in the subject line of your submission.

Guidelines for writers

Know your audience

91影库Today is a monthly news magazine distributed in print to the members of the 91影库 and Molecular Biology and published online without a paywall. This means our online content can be read by anyone with an Internet connection. While 91影库Today initially was conceived of and published as a newsletter for 91影库members only, over the past two decades it has become an award-winning, highly competitive source of news, features and perspectives that reaches readers far beyond the biochemistry and molecular biology community.

Choose an effective format

Any story can be told in a number of ways, and we encourage you to consider using untraditional formats to tell yours. For instance, a Q&A or top-10 list format, in some cases, is more effective than a straight news story. You should use lists, subheadings, images, multimedia and boxed nuggets to attract readers and simplify complex information. Also remember that more than a quarter of your readers will read your article on a mobile device. If you don’t hook them in the first few sentences, you’re going to lose them. Choosing the right format can help you with this.

Tell a compelling story

We believe in good storytelling. You should weave descriptive, vivid scenes with factual, informative passages. In other words, aim for more “showing” than “telling.” In addition, quotes bring stories alive. Consider using quotes from sources you have interviewed or from materials you’ve used as part of your research to convey information in interesting and lively ways.

Stay true to your authorial voice

We aim to maintain a professional yet conversational tone. We especially encourage first-person narratives. We discourage stilted, convoluted and passive constructions. If you’re in doubt about something you’ve written, try reading it aloud or enlist a colleague to do so. If it sounds natural, you hit the right note. If it doesn’t sound like your true conversational voice, rewrite it.

Determining authorship

91影库Today firmly believes in giving credit where credit is due. Co-writing is allowed, under the following conditions. First authorship is reserved for the writer who contributed the most to the article. All other bylined authors must have contributed significant shares. Those who contribute only feedback or editing can be acknowledged at the end of the article in an author’s note but will not get bylines. We strongly discourage submissions from more than two people and may not accept those by three or more.

How to cite sources

Like most other news magazines, 91影库Today does not use numbered references at the end of stories. Use hyperlinked in-text attribution to back up claims and provide supplementary sources. And remember: You are allowed to say some things on your own authority.

Final quick tips

Use simple, declarative sentences. Do not use passive or complicated constructions.
Avoid jargon.
Avoid excessive use of acronyms.
Introduce new concepts one at a time and in bite-size nuggets.
Numbers can be numbing. Use them judiciously.
Include visuals that help tell your story.
Use analogies and examples to show rather than tell.
Communicate the relevance to those in other unrelated fields.
Writing for 91影库Today is a voluntary endeavor. We will repay you with kindness, good humor and reprints upon request.