Around 60 people attended an online seminar on Thursday (7) that offered a behind-the-scenes look at the editorial process of the scientific journal Communications Biology, an open-access publication by Springer Nature and part of the Nature Portfolio group. The event was organized by the Center for Research in Biology of Bacteria and Bacteriophages (CEPID B3), funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), and brought together two senior editors to discuss article evaluation criteria, peer review, and strategies to increase the chances of publication.

During the meeting, the editors highlighted the central role they play in selecting and handling manuscripts. Holding PhD and postdoctoral training, these professionals act as a bridge between authors and reviewers, deciding which submissions proceed to peer review and ultimately making the final publication decision. In this process, they prioritize the robustness of data and the clarity of the evidence presented. “We also need to ensure that the novelty is clearly highlighted in the key parts of the paper”, said Laura Rodríguez, who led the presentation.

According to the editor, in addition to its in-house team, the journal adopts a collaborative editorial model involving around 191 expert researchers distributed worldwide. In this system, chief editors and collaborators initially assess manuscripts within their areas of expertise, deciding whether they should be rejected or sent for peer review.

Rodríguez noted that the main criteria for sending a manuscript to review include originality, alignment with existing literature, data robustness, and the consistency of conclusions. On the other hand, papers may be rejected due to lack of innovation, insufficient experimental support, ethical concerns, or because they fall outside the journal’s scope. “The final decision rests with the editors”, she explained.

The seminar also provided practical guidance for researchers, such as the importance of responding thoroughly to all reviewer comments, using revisions as an opportunity to improve the manuscript, and clearly articulating the study’s relevance. “Make your main message clear: why is this work important?”, they advised. Alongside João Valente, also a senior editor at the journal, Rodríguez emphasized the importance of dialogue in the editorial process. “If there are doubts or if a paper is rejected in a way that seems unfair, it’s important to contact the editor. We can provide guidance, resolve disputes, and even reconsider decisions”, she said.

An initiative of the Laboratory for Structural Studies of Macromolecules, affiliated with CEPID B3 and based at the Ribeirão Preto campus of the University of São Paulo (USP), the event underscored the importance of transparency and communication in the scientific publishing process by bringing researchers closer to the editorial dynamics of international journals. The seminar contributes to training scientists who are better prepared to engage with editors and reviewers, improving the quality of submissions and strengthening the global presence of Brazilian scientific output.