BioRxiv

bioRxiv (pronounced "bio-archive") is a free online archive and distribution service for unpublished preprints in the life sciences. It is operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a not-for-profit research and educational institution. bioRxiv allows researchers to share their findings before they are peer-reviewed and published in scientific journals.

History

The bioRxiv preprint server was launched in November 2013 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The service was inspired by the success of arXiv, a preprint server for physics, mathematics, and computer science. bioRxiv was created to provide a similar platform for the life sciences, allowing researchers to disseminate their work quickly and receive feedback from the scientific community.

Functionality

Researchers can submit their manuscripts to bioRxiv, where they are made publicly available. Submissions are not peer-reviewed, but they undergo a basic screening process to ensure that they are scientific in nature and do not contain offensive or non-scientific content. Once posted, preprints can be accessed by anyone, and authors can update their submissions with revised versions.

bioRxiv supports a wide range of topics within the life sciences, including genomics, neuroscience, microbiology, and ecology. The platform also allows for the inclusion of supplementary materials, such as data sets and multimedia files.

Impact

The availability of preprints on bioRxiv has accelerated the dissemination of scientific knowledge, allowing researchers to share their findings with the community without the delays associated with traditional journal publication. This has been particularly beneficial in rapidly evolving fields, such as COVID-19 research, where timely access to data and results is crucial.

bioRxiv has also facilitated greater collaboration and discussion among scientists, as researchers can comment on preprints and provide feedback to authors. This open exchange of ideas can lead to improvements in the quality of research and foster new collaborations.

Criticism and Challenges

While bioRxiv has been widely embraced by the scientific community, it has also faced criticism. Some researchers are concerned about the lack of peer review, which can lead to the dissemination of unverified or incorrect information. Others worry about the potential for preprints to be misinterpreted by the media or the public.

To address these concerns, bioRxiv encourages authors to clearly label their work as a preprint and to provide disclaimers about the preliminary nature of the findings. The platform also works to educate the public and journalists about the role of preprints in the scientific process.

Also see

• arXiv
• Preprint
• Open access
• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory