Journal profile · Cell Biology
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
ISSN 0959-437X · eISSN 1879-0380 · Elsevier Ltd · UNITED STATES · Bimonthly · Founded 1991
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development: CAS Zone 2 · Biology (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 4.34; hybrid open access; APC about USD 4,200; median 103 days to acceptance (98 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: about 25%; 83 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development is published by Elsevier Ltd and is in Zone 2 of Biology in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics, Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation and RNA Research and Splicing, together about 25.8% of its articles. Its main subfields are Molecular Biology. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Current Opinion in Genetics and Development aims to stimulate scientifically grounded, interdisciplinary, multi-scale debate and exchange of ideas. It contains polished, concise and timely reviews and opinions, with particular emphasis on those articles published in the past two years. In addition to describing recent trends, the authors are encouraged to give their subjective opinion of the topics discussed.In Current Opinion in Genetics and Development we help the reader by providing in a systematic manner:1. The views of experts on current advances in their field in a clear and readable form. 2. Evaluations of the most interesting papers, annotated by experts, from the great wealth of original publications.Current Opinion in Genetics and Development serves as an invaluable source of information for researchers, lecturers, teachers, professionals, policy makers and students.Division of the subject into sectionsThe subject of Genetics and Development is divided into six themed sections, each of which is reviewed once a year:• Cancer Genomics • Genome Architecture and Expression • Molecular and genetic basis of disease • Developmental mechanisms, patterning and evolution • Cell reprogramming, regeneration and repair • Genetics of Human Origin / Evolutionary genetics (alternate years)Selection of topics to be reviewedSection Editors, who are major authorities in the field, are appointed by the Editors of the journal. They divide their section into a number of topics, ensuring that the field is comprehensively covered and that all issues of current importance are emphasised. Section Editors commission reviews from authorities on each topic that they have selected. The Editorial Board provides support to the Editors and the Section Editors with their comments and suggestions on names and topics.Review articles in Current Opinion in Genetics and Development are by invitation only.Review ArticlesThe Current Opinion journals were developed out of the recognition that it is increasingly difficult for specialists to keep up to date with the expanding volume of information published in their subject. In the Current Opinion journals, we help the reader by providing in a systematic manner: (1) The views of experts on current advances in the field in a clear and readable form. (2) Evaluations of the most interesting papers, annotated by experts, from the great wealth of original publications.The aim of the manuscript is to review recent articles, with particular emphasis on those articles published in the past two years. In addition to describing recent trends, you are encouraged to give your subjective opinion of the topics discussed, although you should not concentrate unduly on your own research. Your review should be approximately 2000 words (not including references or reference notes), with approximately 50 references and, as such, the review is intended to be a concise view of the field as it is at the moment, rather than a comprehensive overview. Our audience ranges from student to professor, so articles must be accessible to a wide readership. Please avoid jargon, but do not oversimplify: be accurate and precise throughout. Occasionally, unpublished data can be referred to, but only when essential and should never be used to substantiate any significant point.Please see further information under Writing and Formatting – Additional information. Editorial OverviewSection Editors write a short overview at the beginning of the section to introduce the reviews and to draw the reader's attention to any particularly interesting developments.This successful format has made Current Opinion in Genetics and Development one of the most highly regarded and highly cited review journals in the field.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Cell Biology
Editor-in-chief Mary BayliesPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 1 in mainland China (about 3%); most named United States 18, Japan 4, Australia 4, United Kingdom 2, Singapore 2 (38 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Genomics and Chromatin DynamicsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology11.5%
- Developmental Biology and Gene RegulationBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology7.7%
- RNA Research and SplicingBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology6.6%
- CRISPR and Genetic EngineeringBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology6.3%
- Epigenetics and DNA MethylationBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology5.8%
- Pluripotent Stem Cells ResearchBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology5.2%
- Chromosomal and Genetic VariationsAgricultural and Biological Sciences5%
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanismsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology4.8%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Biology Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Cell Biology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: yes
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Biology Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Cell Biology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Biology Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Cell Biology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: yes
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
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
- 4.34LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 4.3Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 6.8LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 6.8Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 2.33LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.83LetPub ·
- h-index
- 181LetPub ·
- h-index
- 244OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 2,886OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 5.54OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 4.7%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 57.14%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 72LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 4,084 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 89 | 57 | 57 |
| 2025 | 83 | 64 | 393 |
| 2024 | 117 | 93 | 1,152 |
| 2023 | 91 | 69 | 1,341 |
| 2022 | 92 | 63 | 1,550 |
| 2021 | 125 | 80 | 3,192 |
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 PubMed · to
103 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 78 days – 123 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 24 days (98 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 126 days
- Sample
- 98 articles with submission and acceptance dates (193 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)
- about 1 monthLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- 25%LetPub ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 102 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 4,200 / EUR 3,930 / GBP 3,360 / JPY 520,930 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 4,060 | — | — |
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 prepare8 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 120 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- First submission
- Free format: the journal's layout is not required
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
- Highlights
- Optional
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted2, with length limits
- opinione into account when preparing a Current Opinion paper: 2000 word limit (excluding abstract, references and figure captions)main text ≤ 2,000 words
- reviewtrate unduly on your own research. Your review should be approximately 2000 words (not including references or reference notes), with approximain text ≤ 2,000 words
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
Submission by invitation only. Model summary
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Peer review process: single anonymized review process. Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of one reviewer for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Rea…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication.
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
- Elsevier Ltd
- Country or region
- UNITED STATES
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Bimonthly
- Founded
- 1991
- ISSN
- 0959-437X
- Electronic ISSN
- 1879-0380
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
What CAS zone is Current Opinion in Genetics & Development in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Current Opinion in Genetics & Development is in Zone 2 of Biology, and in Zone 3 of the minor category Cell Biology / Genetics & Heredity. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 2 of Biology. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Current Opinion in Genetics & Development?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 4.34; CiteScore 6.8, h-index 244.
How long does peer review take at Current Opinion in Genetics & Development?
Based on the dates recorded on 98 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 103 days (interquartile range 78–123 days); authors report an average review time of about 1 month; the community-reported acceptance is “about 25%”. 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 Current Opinion in Genetics & Development?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 120 words; Keywords: 1–7; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; First submission: Free format: the journal's layout is not required; Suggested reviewers: Optional; Highlights: Optional; Graphical abstract: Optional; 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 Current Opinion in Genetics & Development based?
Of the 38 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 1 (about 3%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (18), Japan (4) and Australia (4). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Current Opinion in Genetics & Development?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Current Opinion in Genetics & Development is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Current Opinion in Genetics & Development open access, and what is the APC?
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 4,200.
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 2026-08-26). Last updated: .