The Micro Journal of the Malaysian Society of RNA Science

1. Scope & Core Objectives

RNA Science in Focus serves as the official micro journal and publishing platform of the Malaysian Society of RNA Science (MSRS). It provides concise, rapid-publication insights into all facets of RNA biology, molecular genetics, and biotechnology—including non-coding RNAs, RNA modifications, epitranscriptomics, RNA therapeutics, structural biology, and vaccine development.

The micro journal aims to:

• Keep members and the broader scientific community informed on recent breakthroughs and updates.
• Highlight RNA research, laboratories, achievements, and infrastructure within Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region.
• Provide an accessible writing platform for early-career researchers, students, and established scientists across academia and industry.

2. Article Categories & Specifications

Article Type	Word Count Limit	Max Figures / Tables	References	Description
Research Highlights	500 – 800 words	1 figure or table	Max 5	Short summaries and contextual analysis of notable recent peer-reviewed studies in RNA science.
Commentary	600 – 1,000 words	1 figure or table	Max 10	Expert opinion on new developments, technological breakthroughs, controversies, and future directions.
Local Spotlight	500 – 1,000 words	Up to 2 high-res images	Optional	Feature articles on research, laboratories, collaborative networks, and achievements in RNA science in Malaysia.
Updates	300 – 500 words	1 image/poster	N/A	News on conferences, workshops, funding calls, training, and MSRS opportunities.

3. Submission & Editorial Process

3.1 Submissions & Eligibility

• Submissions are open to MSRS members, academia, industry professionals, students, and early-career researchers.
• To propose or submit an article, authors should email the manuscript directly to webmaster@myrnascience.com.

3.2 Review Workflow

1. Initial Desk Screening: Manuscripts are screened upon receipt by the Editor-in-Chief for scope fit, readability, and adherence to formatting standards.
2. Editorial Board Assessment: Articles are assigned to members of the Editorial Board (Executive Committee) for single-blind peer review based on subject-matter expertise.
3. Revisions & Final Acceptance: Authors may be requested to make minor textual or clarity revisions before final publication.

4. Writing & Formatting Guidelines

• Target Audience: Articles must be written in clear, concise, and accessible English tailored for a broad scientific audience.
• Abstracts: Formal abstracts are not required; manuscripts should begin with a compelling 2–3 sentence introductory overview.
• Figures & Visuals: High-resolution JPEGs or PNGs (minimum 300 dpi). Authors must own the copyright or have explicit permission to reproduce any submitted figures or photographs.
• Citations: Minimal inline citations formatted sequentially as numbers in brackets (e.g., [1]) with a brief reference list at the end (Vancouver style).

5. Editorial Board & Governance

5.1 Editorial Governance Structure

RNA Science in Focus operates under the leadership of the Executive Committee of the Malaysian Society of RNA Science.

5.2 Editorial Roster

• Editor-in-Chief:
  • A/Prof. Dr. Ch’ng Ewe Seng (Vice Chair, MSRS Executive Committee)

• Editorial Board Members (MSRS Executive Committee 2025–2027):
  • Prof. Dr. Tang Thean Hock (Chair)
  • Dr. Siti Aminah Bt. Ahmed (Secretary)
  • Dr. Anna Andrew (Assistant Secretary)
  • Dr. Ang Kai Cheen (Treasurer)
  • A/Prof. Dr. Wang Seok Mui (Committee Member)
  • Dr. Robaiza Zakaria (Committee Member)

5.3 Duties of the Board

• Editor-in-Chief (Vice Chair): Oversees the editorial vision, sets standards, manages submission workflows, and renders final publishing decisions.
• Editorial Board (Executive Committee Members): Conduct rapid single-blind reviews, assist in soliciting high-quality regional contributions, and ensure scientific accuracy and impartiality across all published formats.

6. Publication Ethics, Integrity & Rights

• Plagiarism & Authorship: Submissions must represent original writing. Proper attribution is required for all referenced work.
• Generative AI Use: AI tools may be used solely for copyediting and linguistic refinement. Authors remain fully accountable for all factual assertions and scientific conclusions.
• Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any relevant personal, financial, or institutional conflicts of interest upon submission.
• Copyright & Open Access: Authors retain full copyright of their work. Authors grant MSRS a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish, archive, and distribute the contribution across MSRS digital, web, and promotional platforms.

7. Disclaimers & Post-Publication Corrections

Corrections: Requests to correct factual errors or amend published texts should be submitted directly to the Editorial Office at webmaster@myrnascience.com.

Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed in RNA Science in Focus are those of the individual author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official positions or policies of the Malaysian Society of RNA Science.