The Editor-in-chief assigns the submitted manuscripts to the corresponding associate editors. Those manuscripts deemed suitable for peer review are passed to at least two anonymous expert reviewers who assess the significance, originality, and scientific quality and validity of the work. Authors of manuscripts rejected at initial evaluation stage will normally be informed within 1 week of receipt. For the manuscripts sent to referees, it takes about 6 weeks to reach the first decision. The Editor-in-Chief and associate editors make final decisions on revised manuscripts to be published in the Progress in Biological Sciences.