Journal profile · Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Biopolymers
ISSN 0006-3525 · eISSN 1097-0282 · John Wiley and Sons Inc. · UNITED STATES · Semimonthly · Founded 1963
Biopolymers: CAS Zone 4 · Biology (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 2.78; hybrid open access; APC about USD 4,150; median 102 days to acceptance (86 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: easy; 91 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Biopolymers is published by John Wiley and Sons Inc. and is in Zone 4 of Biology in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Chemical Synthesis and Analysis and Protein Structure and Dynamics, together about 37% of its articles. Its main subfields are Molecular Biology. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Biopolymers is the official journal of the American Peptide Society and a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal that publishes significant original research papers and up-to-date reviews on the structure, function, synthesis, materials, and bioactivity of natural and synthetic biological macromolecules, particularly peptides. Since 1963, the journal has served the biochemical, biophysical, biomaterials, and biomedical research communities by featuring both experimental and theoretical studies that advance the fundamental understanding and practical applications of biological macromolecules. Covering the entire field of peptide and biopolymer research, Biopolymers provides a platform for high-quality research spanning molecular structure, behavior, function, and emerging biomedical and materials science applications. Since 2026 Biopolymers is the official journal of the American Peptide Society. Topics of particular interest include, but are not limited to Molecular recognition; multi-component complexes and macromolecular assembly, including ordered aggregation Molecular design, biomimics, model systems, and bio-nanotechnology Biopolymer processing and degradation Experimental and theoretical studies of biopolymer folding Single molecule studies of biopolymers (e.g., fluorescence, optical tweezers, AFM, etc.) Three-dimensional structures of biopolymers determined by X-ray, NMR, EM, other spectroscopic methods, as well as computational prediction Bioenergetics of macromolecules and their interactions Use of small molecules as either probes or models of structure and function, or as ligands that target biologically relevant receptors Preparation and characterization of novel biomaterials Function may include: DNA recombination, replication and repair Catalysis Molecular motors Intracellular signaling and signal transduction Chromatin structure and remodeling RNA processing Transcription Translation Protein/RNA sorting and trafficking
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Editorial board by country: 2 in mainland China (about 5%); most named United States 23, Germany 5, Mainland China 2, United Kingdom 2, France 1 (38 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- DNA and Nucleic Acid ChemistryBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology15.3%
- Chemical Synthesis and AnalysisBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology11.5%
- Protein Structure and DynamicsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology10.3%
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanismsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology6.9%
- Enzyme Structure and FunctionMaterials Science5.2%
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniquesBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology4.7%
- Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical StudiesPhysics and Astronomy3.8%
- Biopolymer Synthesis and ApplicationsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology3.5%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Biology Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Biophysics | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Biology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Biophysics | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Biology Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Biophysics | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
EI CompendexWeb of ScienceMEDLINEPubMedINSPECEmbaseCASCAB AbstractsCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: ProQuest
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 2.78LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 2.9Publisher website ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 2.9Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 3.7LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 3.7Publisher website ·
- CiteScore (publisher) 2025
- 3.7Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.44LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.61LetPub ·
- h-index
- 115LetPub ·
- h-index
- 217OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 7,150OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 2.88OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 3.4%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 20.25%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 66LetPub ·
- Articles per year (publisher) 2025
- 78Publisher website ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 218,903Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 12,645 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 57 | 31 | 26 |
| 2025 | 91 | 41 | 262 |
| 2024 | 85 | 43 | 384 |
| 2023 | 98 | 44 | 326 |
| 2022 | 57 | 13 | 261 |
| 2021 | 83 | 29 | 734 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
102 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 55 days – 148 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 16 days (86 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 123 days
- Sample
- 86 articles with submission and acceptance dates (162 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- 4–8 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Acceptance rate (publisher)
- 25%Publisher website ·
- Acceptance rate (publisher) 2025
- 25%Publisher website ·
- Submission to first decision
- 6 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to first decision 2025
- 6 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance 2025
- 109 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication 2025
- 13 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 4,150 / EUR 3,470 / GBP 2,720 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | No APC | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare5 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 200 words
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- First submission
- Free format: the journal's layout is not required
- Graphical abstract
- Required
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted3, with length limits
- research articlesResearch Articles presenting original findings on biopolymers, as outlined in the Overview of the journal.Length not stated
- reviewne submission system for consideration. Reviews: are typically 5,500–6,500 words; should contain a strong introduction that: explains the remain text ≤ 6,500 words
- reviewsReviews present a balanced summary of recent developments in areas of interest to the readership of Biopolymers.Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAuthorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Self-archiving
- Authorship
No submission fees, page charges, or colour charges. Model summary
There are no submission fees, page charges, or colour charges associated with publication in Biopolymers.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest COMPETING FINANCIAL INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Biopolymers requires that all authors disclose any potential sources of conflict of interest. Any interest or relationship, financial or otherwise, that might be perceived as influencing an author's objectivity is considered a potential source of conflict of interest. These must be disclosed when directly relevant or directly related to the work that the authors describe in their manuscript. Poten…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability DATA SHARING
Data sharing policy: expects data to be archived in public repository; requires data availability statement. Model summary
Biopolymers expects that data supporting the results in the paper will be archived in an appropriate public repository. Authors are required to provide a data availability statement to describe the availability or the absence of shared data. Example data availability statements can be found in Wiley Author Services. When data have been shared, authors are required to cite the data they have shared…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics SCIENTIFIC MISCONDUCT ISSUES
Any alleged violation of any of the rules of scientific publishing ethics as defined by the Committee on Publication Ethics will be investigated confidentially in accord with standard Wiley procedures as outlined in our best practices guide.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright Transfer Agreement
Copyright transfer agreement required. Model summary
No article can be published unless accompanied by a signed copyright from the author. A copy of the Publication Agreement appears in most issues of the journal. The Copyright Transfer Agreement is also available at this site. Only original papers will be accepted, and copyright in published papers will be vested in the Publisher.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open Access
Open access publication is available to authors who wish to make their article available to non-subscribers on publication, or whose funding agency requires grantees to archive the final version of their article. With this option a fee is paid to ensure that the article is made available to non-subscribers upon publication via Wiley Online Library, as well as deposited in the funding agency's pref…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer Review
A number of Wiley journals, including Biopolymers, have begun to standardise the terminology on peer review, in line with the pilot currently being run by the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) Working Group on Peer Review Terminology. Standardising the terminology across journals and publishers used to describe peer review practices helps make the peer review process for articles …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Self-archiving Self-Archiving Policy
Self-archiving: pre-print anytime; accepted version after embargo. Model summary
Authors of articles published in Wiley journals are permitted to self-archive the submitted (pre-print) version of the article at any time, and may self-archive the accepted (peer-reviewed) version after an embargo period. Please visit our Self-Archiving Policy page for details or refer to your Copyright Transfer Agreement.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons Inc.
- Country or region
- UNITED STATES
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Semimonthly
- Founded
- 1963
- ISSN
- 0006-3525
- Electronic ISSN
- 1097-0282
- Society / sponsor
- American Peptide Society
- Latest issue on the website
- Volume 117, Issue 6 (November 2026)
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Biopolymers
What CAS zone is Biopolymers in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Biopolymers is in Zone 4 of Biology, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Biophysics. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 3 of Biology. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Biopolymers?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 2.78; CiteScore 3.7, h-index 217.
How long does peer review take at Biopolymers?
Based on the dates recorded on 86 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 102 days (interquartile range 55–148 days); authors report an average review time of 4–8 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”; the journal's website gives an acceptance rate of 25% (2025). Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Biopolymers?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 200 words; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; First submission: Free format: the journal's layout is not required; Graphical abstract: Required; Cover letter: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Biopolymers based?
Of the 38 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 2 (about 5%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (23), Germany (5) and Mainland China (2). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Biopolymers?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Biopolymers is indexed in SCIE and Scopus. The journal's website also lists EI Compendex, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, INSPEC, Embase, CAS, CAB Abstracts and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Biopolymers open access, and what is the APC?
Biopolymers is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 4,150.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .