Originality, Copyright, and Conflict of Interest

One condition of publication is that all manuscripts submitted to Protein Science have not been published previously nor are they under consideration for publication elsewhere. Electronic publication open to viewers by subscription or by unrestricted access to a World Wide Web site is considered prior publication with the exception of dissertations mounted in electronic format by the library system of the degree-granting institution. Papers involving multiple authorship are reviewed with the understanding that all authors have approved the final submitted manuscript and concur in its submission to Protein Science. Copyrights to all papers must be assigned to The Protein Society by a signed Copyright Status Form before the Editor will transmit the paper for publication.

In the interests of candor and to help readers to detect potential bias, we now require authors of original research papers to declare any competing interests in relation to papers accepted for publication.

Please submit one statement on behalf of all authors.

Competing interests are defined as those that, through their potential influences on behavior or content or from perception of such potential influences, could undermine the objectivity, integrity or perceived value of a publication, or could embarrass the authors or the journal. They include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

Funding: Support for a research program (including salaries, equipment, supplies, reimbursement for attending symposia, and other expenses) by organizations that may gain or lose financially through publication of this paper.

Employment: Recent (i.e., while engaged in this research project), present, or anticipated employment by any organization that may gain or lose financially through publication of this paper.

Personal financial interests: Stocks or shares in companies that may gain or lose financially through publication; consultation fees or other forms of remuneration from organizations that may gain or lose financially; patents or patent applications whose value may be affected by publication.

It is difficult to specify a threshold at which a financial interest becomes significant, although we note that many US universities require faculty members to disclose interests exceeding 5% equity in a company.

We do not consider diversified mutual funds or investment trusts to constitute a competing financial interest.

We do not require authors to state the monetary value of their financial interests.

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