RNA

RNA serves as an international forum for publishing original reports on RNA research in the broadest sense. The journal aims to unify this field by cutting across established disciplinary lines and focusing on "RNA-centered" science. RNA is a monthly journal which provides rapid publication of significant original research in all areas of RNA structure and function in eukaryotic, prokaryotic, and viral systems. It covers a broad range of subjects in RNA research, including: structural analysis by biochemical or biophysical means; mRNA structure, function and biogenesis; alternative processing: cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors; ribosome structure and function; translational control; RNA catalysis; tRNA structure, function, biogenesis and identity; RNA editing; rRNA structure, function and biogenesis; RNA transport and localization; regulatory RNAs; large and small RNP structure, function and biogenesis; viral RNA metabolism; RNA stability and turnover; in vitro evolution; and RNA chemistry. RNA considers papers in six categories: Reports, Articles, Bioinformatics, Hypotheses, Methods, and Letters to the Editor. Reports document significant new results that lend themselves to succinct presentation (i.e., combined Results and Discussion) and can contain no more than four display items. Reports are evaluated using the same criteria as Articles; preliminary observations that require further experimentation to support the major conclusions will not be accepted. There are no explicit length limitations to Articles and length is not a criterion for evaluation. Bioinformatics describe computer-based analyses of sequence data or new informatic tools of interest to RNA scientists. Hypotheses outline novel concepts or new ways of integrating existing data. Methods are brief accounts of methodological advances or improvements that are of potential utility to a broad range of RNA researchers. Letters to the Editor are intended as a forum for raising or clarifying issues of specific interest to the RNA community.