Charting the Life of a Scientific Journal
From its founding in 2009 to becoming a global scientific institution
In the vast and ever-expanding universe of scientific literature, where over 2.5 million new papers are published annually, how does a specialized journal not only survive but thrive? Biophysical Reviews offers a compelling answer. Born from a partnership between the International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB) and Springer in 2009, this journal was conceived as a beacon guiding researchers through the "tsunami of scientific papers" 5 . But it has evolved into something far more significant—a dynamic global forum that mirrors the very scientific discipline it represents.
New papers published annually
Year of establishment
Scientific forum
The story begins in the Spring of 2009 when Dr. Jean Garnier, then President of IUPAB, helped establish Biophysical Reviews as the official journal of the Union, replacing Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics 1 . Garnier clearly articulated the journal's mission: "a challenging undertaking given the current exponential growth of published scientific papers that is overwhelming many of us in the field through a surfeit of information" 5 .
The journal defined its scope broadly, covering "the science of examining biological phenomena using the concepts and techniques of physics" 1 .
In 2015, a significant transition occurred with the retirement of founding Editor-in-Chief Jean Garnier and the appointment of Professor Cris dos Remedios 1 .
| Name | Location | Regional Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Wilma Olson | USA | North America |
| Haruki Nakamura | Japan | Asia |
| N.R. Jagannathan | India | South Asia |
| Damien Hall | Australia | Oceania |
| Jolanda van der Velden | The Netherlands | Europe |
A critical innovation in the journal's development was the strategic emphasis on Special Issues. The first trial appeared in 2012, exploring computational biophysics in developing economies 1 . The 2013 issue honoring Allen Minton's 70th birthday became the largest ever assembled in the journal at that time, with 17 reviews on protein-ligand interactions 1 .
Computational Biophysics - First trial issue exploring research in developing economies
Latin American Biophysics - Saluted establishment of LAFeBS
Human Heart Failure - Based on samples from Sydney Heart Bank
Protein Dynamics in Allosteric Effects - Focused on fundamental biophysical concepts
LAFeBS Research - 34 reviews showcasing Latin American science
LAFeBS Contributions - Continued highlighting of regional research
The journal's commitment to global biophysics is perhaps best exemplified by its relationship with the Latin American Federation of Biophysical Societies (LAFeBS). Following a 2014 Special Issue highlighting biophysics in Latin America 1 , the journal continued this commitment with another LAFeBS Special Issue in 2025 2 .
The 2025 issue contained 34 full review articles—a significant increase from the previous issue's 23 reviews plus 2 Letters 2 .
This expansion demonstrated the growing research output from the region, with contributions from countries not present in the previous issue, including Mexico, Portugal, Spain, and Venezuela 2 .
The COVID-19 pandemic tested scientific institutions worldwide. In a 2020 Editorial, the journal acknowledged the global crisis while reinforcing the importance of continued scientific engagement 4 . Noting that the majority of its audience were "working research scientists, engineers, and medical professionals," the journal extended sympathies to those affected while encouraging adaptation to new social distancing rules 4 .
"As experiments are put on hold, it may be easy to lose focus on the importance of our collective research endeavor. However, it is important to remember that it is only through society's continual investment in basic and applied research that we are able to prepare for societal emergencies" 4 .
This response highlighted the journal's view of itself not just as a publication, but as a steward of the international research enterprise.
Another evolution in the journal's development was establishing the Michèle Auger Award for Young Scientists' Independent Research 5 . Named in honor of a French-Canadian biophysicist and former editorial board member who passed away in 2018, the award recognizes scientists under 40 who demonstrate exceptional independent research 5 .
New York University, USA
CNIC, Spain
University of Tokyo, Japan
Cell-Size space Effect (CSE)The 2022 winner, Associate Professor Miho Yanagisawa, was recognized as "a particularly appropriate winner" as "a working mother who combines an active research career with parenting responsibilities" 5 . Her research on how nano to micrometre-scale geometrical effects distort physico-chemical phenomena in cellular spaces exemplifies the interdisciplinary nature of biophysics the journal champions 5 .
Throughout its evolution, Biophysical Reviews has highlighted numerous biophysical techniques that have driven the field forward. These methodologies represent the essential toolkit of modern biophysics research:
A technique that measures the scattering of light from acoustic waves in materials, allowing researchers to determine mechanical properties of cells at sub-micrometer scales 4 .
Used to study topography and mechanical properties of living cells, with applications in understanding cardiac muscle cells in disease states 2 .
Computational methods that simulate physical movements of atoms and molecules, essential for studying multimillion-molecule systems like entire virus particles 2 .
Techniques that enable unraveling allosteric signaling in complex protein systems like G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) 3 .
From its origins addressing information overload to its current status as a curated platform for global scientific exchange, Biophysical Reviews has demonstrated remarkable evolution. The journal has grown from a simple review publication into a dynamic scientific institution that fosters international collaboration, highlights emerging research regions, mentors young scientists, and maintains scientific continuity during global challenges.
The founding editor Jean Garnier's original vision—to create a journal that would publish "short and critical reviews written by key figures in the field"—has not only been realized but expanded upon 5 . Through strategic innovations like the Special Issue program, global editorial representation, and recognition of emerging talent, Biophysical Reviews has become a living chronicle of biophysics itself, reflecting both the discipline's rich history and its rapidly evolving future.
As the journal continues to publish cutting-edge reviews, from supercoiling in DNA-protein interactions to analytical solutions in quantitative biochemistry, it remains committed to its core mission: guiding researchers through the ever-expanding universe of scientific discovery while fostering the global biophysical community that drives it forward.