BACKGROUND AND SCOPE/OBJECTIVES

Microsphere is an open-access, blind peer-reviewed journal of the Indian Network for Soil Contamination Research (INSCR) and Phixgen Pvt Ltd. It is built on a continuous publication model and strives to publish high-quality original research in all fields of biology.

Background

Indian Network for Soil Contamination Research- (INSCR) was founded in 1999 with registration number 34693 dated April 22nd, 1999 under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. Whereas, Phixgen Pvt. Ltd. is a research group with a special focus for serving society and, activities related to Education/ Microbial literacy/Excursions to Schools are also being taken up.

Human health is linked to soil health all around the planet. Everything that grows in healthy, living soil thrives, and it is the primary source of nutrition for the plants as they grow into naturally thriving, insect- resistant, nutrient-dense produce. In a reversal of this life cycle, we stay alive by extracting nutrients from plant life that rely on soil. Hence, this society is an Indian network of academicians, researchers, and students dedicated to protecting the soil ecosystem from the adverse impacts of undesirable chemicals and insecticides that are harmful to human and environmental health. Furthermore, because the gut and soil microbiomes contain similar bacteria phyla and because germs from salads, fruits, and vegetables add to the human gut microbiome, therefore microbiome of plants also influence the gut microbiome, and hence human health. Faecal transplants as a result can have a big impact on plant health and growth. INSCR's objective is to build a strong network of students, scientists, researchers, academicians, and the general public who will come together to conserve our natural resources for future generations. We are also attempting to raise awareness by hosting meetings, seminars, and conferences on critical microbiological issues.

Scope/Objectives

  1. Soil pollution, often known as land contamination, is a major concern. To figure out what the main causes are, what the repercussions are, and how we might lessen it.
  2. Identify actions that are hurting our natural ecosystem and raise public awareness about the consequences.
  3. Determine the best preventive methods for reducing pollution input into soil and water.
  4. To devise low-cost decontamination solutions for previously contaminated places.
  5. To promote the idea of a long-term sustainable earth and environment for future generations.
  6. Investigating the role of microbes in sustaining soil fertility through nutrient recycling and impacting their availability to plants; in enhancing soil structure; in supporting healthy plant growth; and in decomposing organic contaminants.
  7. To investigate the diversity of microorganisms and their activities in their natural environments, as well as their mutual interactions, survival, and adaption strategies.
  8. To address a variety of concerns, including those that are urgent and require immediate attention, such as new and emerging diseases.
  9. Microbiomes colonising humans, animals, plants, or the environment, both manmade and natural, or manipulated, as in agriculture.
  10. Studies on the design and implementation of meta-omics techniques or novel bioinformatics tools, as well as community/host interactions with a focus on the structure-function link, that could lead to significant advancements in the field.
  11. The journal publishes research in computational molecular and structural biology, including computing in biomedicine and genomics, computational proteomics and systems biology, and metabolic pathway engineering, among other topics.

PEER REVIEW PROCESS

All manuscripts submitted for publication are screened by the journal's Editorial Team. Submissions that do not fulfil the journal's scientific standards will be rejected and will not be subjected to peer review. Articles that pass the initial editorial screening shall be sent to a minimum of two experts. Within 4-6 weeks of submission, an editorial decision should be taken. The authority of selection of the reviewers/experts to conduct the peer-review process lies with the journal's editorial board.

Minor or substantial adjustments may be requested by reviewers. Authors will be asked to resubmit a revised version for the next round of peer review. During the evaluation process, the names of reviewers and authors will not be revealed. During the review of articles, editors and reviewers will be required to declare any potential competing interests.

PUBLICATION FREQUENCY

This journal publishes papers on a biannual basis. The manuscripts are added to the next volume for publication as soon as they are accepted.

POLICY ON OPEN ACCESS

We at ‘Microsphere' believe in making research widely available so that information can flow freely around the globe. In order to cover the costs of reviewing, editing, formatting, layout, and online hosting and archiving, the journal charges an article processing fee of INR 1500/- upon acceptance of submitted full length papers.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

A conflict of interest arises if an author, author's institution, reviewer, or editor has any monetary or personal connections that can unfairly bias his or her actions. The likelihood of these connections influencing judgement varies from negligible to high. Whether or not a person believes the relationship influences his or her scientific judgement, conflicts of interest can still develop. Financial relationships are the most easily identifiable conflicts of interest (such as employment, consulting, honoraria, and paid expert testimony). These are most likely to adversely affect the journal's, authors', and science's credibility. Personal ties, academic competition, and intellectual zeal can all lead to conflicts. Any affiliations that could be construed as potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed by everyone involved in the peer- review and publication process. Because bias in editorials and review articles is more difficult to detect than in original research publications, it is critical to disclose such affiliations. As a result, editors may make decisions based on the information provided in conflict-of-interest and financial-interest statements.