Molecular Cell Formatting Requirements: Complete Author Guide

Molecular Cell uses the standard Cell Press abstract format.

• Word limit: 150 words maximum
• Structure: No formal subheadings; follow context-approach-results-significance logic
• Citations: Not permitted
• Highlights: 3-4 bullet points (each under 85 characters) required
• In Brief: ~40-word third-person summary required

For Molecular Cell, the abstract should name the specific molecules (proteins, RNA species, complexes), the experimental approach (cryo-EM, proteomics, genetic screen, biochemistry), and the mechanistic finding. "We studied the role of protein X in process Y" is too vague. "We determined the 3.2 angstrom cryo-EM structure of the X-Y complex, revealing that X remodels Y through a conserved loop insertion mechanism" gives readers what they need.

The Highlights should be specific mechanistic claims:

• "RING domain dimerization activates E3 ligase activity through allosteric repositioning"
• "Phase separation of FUS drives transcription hub assembly at super-enhancers"
• "m6A modification of pri-miRNA recruits DGCR8 through a structured RNA interface"

These appear prominently on the article page. They're the first thing many readers see after the title, so it's worth writing them with care.

The In Brief summary should be a single sentence capturing the main story. Example: "Park et al. reveal the structural basis for substrate recognition by the CRL4-DCAF1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, explaining how a conformational switch in DCAF1 enables selective targeting of DNA damage response proteins."

Molecular Cell doesn't set a rigid figure cap, but 6-7 main figures is the convention for Articles.

Figure specifications:

Graphical abstract: Required for Articles, Short Articles, and Resources.

• Dimensions: 1,200 x 1,200 pixels (square format, non-negotiable)
• Format: JPEG, TIFF, or PDF
• Minimum text size: 18 pt
• Single cohesive visual, not a multi-panel collage
• Must be understandable without reading the paper

For Molecular Cell, effective graphical abstracts typically show a molecular mechanism as a schematic: the protein complex, the structural change, and the functional consequence. Structure-function papers can show the structure directly with key features highlighted. Avoid cramming an entire model figure into the graphical abstract. Simplify to the single most important conclusion.

Gel and blot images: Molecular Cell has strict policies on image processing. Western blots and gel images must not be spliced or rearranged without clear indication (white space between non-adjacent lanes, with a note in the legend). Brightness and contrast adjustments must be applied uniformly across the entire image. The editorial office runs image integrity checks, and manipulations (even unintentional) can lead to rejection.

Structural biology figures: For cryo-EM or crystallography papers, include electron density/cryo-EM map quality panels showing representative regions. Use consistent color schemes across all structural figures. Provide PDB/EMDB accession numbers in the figure legend.

Molecular Cell uses the Cell Press citation style.

In-text citations: Superscript numbers, assigned in order of first appearance. Commas between multiple citations (^1,2,3), hyphens for ranges (^4-8).

Reference list format:

1. Smith, A.B., Johnson, C.D., Williams, E.F., and Lee, G.H. (2025). Title of article in sentence case. Mol. Cell 85, 123-135.

Key formatting details:

• Author names: Last name, comma, initials with periods
• All authors listed (no "et al." in the reference list)
• "and" before the last author
• Year in parentheses after author list
• Journal abbreviation per MEDLINE, then volume in bold
• Comma between volume and page range
• Period at the end

No hard reference cap for Articles, but 60-80 is the typical range. Molecular Cell papers often need to cite structural database entries, prior biochemical characterizations, and related structural studies, which adds up quickly. A well-justified reference list at 75 is fine.

Preprints are citable with the preprint server name and DOI. Cell Press has been supportive of preprint citation since 2017, and Molecular Cell reviewers expect authors to engage with relevant preprints.

For structural biology papers, cite the PDB and EMDB entries as references in addition to listing accession numbers in the Methods. This ensures database entries are findable from the reference list.

The Key Resources Table and STAR Methods structure are mandatory for all Molecular Cell research articles.

Key Resources Table columns:

Required categories in the Key Resources Table:

• Antibodies (with target, host species, clone name, conjugate if applicable)
• Chemicals, peptides, and recombinant proteins
• Critical commercial assays (kits, assay systems)
• Deposited data (PDB, EMDB, GEO accession numbers)
• Experimental models: cell lines (with source, authentication, mycoplasma status)
• Experimental models: organisms/strains
• Oligonucleotides (PCR primers, siRNAs, sgRNAs with sequences)
• Recombinant DNA (plasmids with maps/sequences deposited in Addgene or equivalent)
• Software and algorithms (with version numbers and URLs)

For Molecular Cell papers, the Key Resources Table is typically extensive. A standard biochemistry/structural biology paper might list 15-30 antibodies, 10-20 plasmids, a dozen software tools, and multiple deposited datasets. Every entry must have a verifiable identifier.

STAR Methods required subsections:

1. Resource Availability (lead contact, materials availability, data and code availability)
2. Experimental Model and Study Participant Details (cell lines, organisms, human samples)
3. Method Details (all experimental procedures)
4. Quantification and Statistical Analysis (statistical methods, software, sample sizes)

The Method Details section for Molecular Cell papers should include complete protocols for:

• Protein expression and purification (construct boundaries, tags, expression system, purification steps)
• Cryo-EM data collection (microscope, detector, voltage, pixel size, defocus range, number of micrographs)
• Crystallization conditions (precipitant, temperature, method)
• Functional assays (substrate concentrations, reaction conditions, time points)

Molecular Cell follows the Cell Press supplementary framework.

Supplemental Figures and Tables: Peer-reviewed and published alongside the article. Label as "Figure S1," "Table S1," etc. Each requires a title and legend. No formal limit on supplemental items.

Supplemental Data: Large datasets (proteomics results, screen hits, genomic data) deposited in public repositories. GEO for transcriptomic data, PRIDE for proteomics, PDB/EMDB for structural data.

Source Data files: Raw, unprocessed data underlying figures. Increasingly expected for Molecular Cell papers, especially for quantitative measurements.

Code availability: Custom analysis scripts and software must be shared via public repositories (GitHub + Zenodo DOI). This is especially relevant for cryo-EM processing pipelines, where custom scripts are common.

Structure deposition: All macromolecular structures must be deposited in the PDB (for atomic coordinates) and EMDB (for cryo-EM maps) before publication. Accession numbers must be included in the manuscript. The structures should be available for public release upon publication. Molecular Cell will not publish structure papers without deposited coordinates.

Molecular Cell manuscripts should begin with:

• Full title
• Author names with superscript affiliation numbers
• Affiliations with full institutional addresses
• Lead contact with email
• Author contributions (CRediT taxonomy)
• Declaration of interests
• Keywords (up to 10)

CRediT author contributions: Specify each author's role using standard categories: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data Curation, Writing (Original Draft), Writing (Review and Editing), Visualization, Supervision, Project Administration, Funding Acquisition.

For large structural biology groups with multiple contributors, the author contributions section is important for attribution. Specify who collected the data, who processed the cryo-EM maps, who built and refined the model, and who designed the functional experiments.

Declaration of interests: Required in the manuscript text. "The authors declare no competing interests" if none.

Molecular Cell has formatting and editorial expectations that go beyond generic Cell Press guidelines.

1. The Key Resources Table is the most common source of revision requests. For a typical Molecular Cell paper with biochemistry, structural biology, and cell biology components, the Key Resources Table can have 50+ entries. Every antibody, every plasmid, every cell line, every software package. Missing one generates a revision. Before submission, it's essential to systematically walk through every experiment and verify that every resource is listed.

2. Image integrity screening is automated. Cell Press journals, including Molecular Cell, use automated image duplication detection software. Western blots, gel images, and microscopy figures are screened for duplications, splicing, and inappropriate manipulations. Accidental duplication (e.g., reusing a loading control image across figures) will be flagged and can lead to rejection even if the underlying data are valid. It's not worth the risk.

3. Structural data tables have expected formats. For crystallography papers, include a data collection and refinement statistics table (following the standard crystallographic format). For cryo-EM papers, include a data processing table with micrograph count, particle count, resolution (gold-standard FSC 0.143), and model refinement statistics. These tables are expected in the main figures, not just in Methods.

4. Supplemental figures should not contain main results. Molecular Cell editors push back if key experimental results are buried in supplemental figures. Each main figure should present a complete set of experiments addressing a specific question. Supplemental figures should contain controls, replicates, and supporting characterizations, not core results that drive the paper's conclusions.

5. Gel/blot images need molecular weight markers. Every western blot and gel image must show molecular weight markers with labeled sizes. This is enforced during production and will generate a query if missing. Include markers in the figure panel, not just described in the legend.

6. Plasmid availability is expected. For newly generated plasmids described in the paper, deposition in Addgene (or equivalent) is expected. The Addgene ID should be listed in the Key Resources Table. If plasmids can't be shared publicly, you'll need to provide a clear justification in the Materials Availability statement.

Molecular Cell papers require thorough documentation across STAR Methods, the Key Resources Table, structural data tables, and figure integrity. The Key Resources Table alone can contain dozens of entries across multiple reagent categories, and a single missing entry triggers a revision.

Manusights' AI-powered manuscript review checks your formatting against Molecular Cell's requirements, including STAR Methods structure, reference formatting, and word limits. It's particularly effective at catching structural formatting issues before they become revision requests.

For related Cell Press journals, see our guides for Cell Metabolism and Immunity. You can also browse our full journal submission guides for additional resources across publishers.