Aims & Scope
Research Domains
Mammary Gland Biology
- Mammary epithelial cell differentiation and function
- Alveolar development and morphogenesis
- Mammary stem cell biology and lineage specification
- Glandular tissue architecture and remodeling
- Involution mechanisms and cellular dynamics
- Vascular development in mammary tissue
Molecular characterization of lactocyte secretory pathways during milk protein synthesis and lipid droplet formation
Lactation Physiology & Regulation
- Hormonal control of lactogenesis (prolactin, oxytocin, cortisol)
- Milk synthesis and secretion mechanisms
- Milk ejection reflex and neuroendocrine pathways
- Autocrine regulation of milk production
- Metabolic adaptations during lactation
- Circadian regulation of milk composition
Investigation of feedback inhibitor of lactation (FIL) signaling pathways and their role in milk volume regulation
Human Milk Composition & Bioactivity
- Macronutrient biosynthesis (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates)
- Immunological components (immunoglobulins, cytokines, antimicrobial peptides)
- Bioactive molecules (growth factors, hormones, enzymes)
- Oligosaccharide structure and function
- Micronutrient content and bioavailability
- Milk microbiome and microbial metabolites
Proteomic analysis of milk fat globule membrane proteins and their role in infant gut barrier development
Maternal Nutritional Biology
- Nutrient partitioning during lactation
- Maternal dietary effects on milk composition
- Metabolic programming through lactation
- Maternal micronutrient status and milk quality
- Energy metabolism and substrate utilization
- Maternal-infant nutrient transfer mechanisms
Stable isotope tracer studies examining maternal fatty acid metabolism and incorporation into milk lipids
Infant Developmental Biology
Mechanisms by which milk components influence infant growth, immune system maturation, gut microbiome establishment, and neurodevelopment. Studies must include biological endpoints beyond observational outcomes.
Comparative Lactation Biology
Cross-species studies examining evolutionary adaptations in lactation, milk composition variation across mammals, and translational models for human lactation research.
Lactation Pathophysiology
Biological mechanisms underlying lactation disorders including mastitis pathogenesis, insufficient milk production at the cellular level, and mammary gland inflammation. Clinical descriptions alone are insufficient.
Methodological Innovations
Novel analytical techniques for milk analysis, lactation assessment tools with biological validation, omics approaches (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics), and imaging technologies for mammary tissue.
Emerging Areas (Selective Consideration)
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Expedited Review (14-21 days)
Regular Review (28-42 days)
Selective Acceptance
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- ARRIVE 2.0 for animal studies
- STROBE for observational studies with biological data
- CONSORT for randomized trials
- PRISMA for systematic reviews
- MIQE for qPCR experiments
Data & Reproducibility
- Raw data deposition in public repositories required
- Detailed methods enabling replication
- Statistical analysis code availability
- Biological materials sharing agreements
- Preregistration encouraged for hypothesis-driven studies
Ethics & Compliance
- IRB/Ethics committee approval for human studies
- IACUC approval for animal research
- Informed consent documentation
- Declaration of conflicts of interest
- Funding source transparency
Preprint Policy
- Preprints on bioRxiv, medRxiv accepted
- Preprint DOI must be declared at submission
- Peer review proceeds independently
- Published version supersedes preprint
- Preprint servers encouraged for rapid dissemination
