A landmark year that transformed Iran's scientific presence on the world stage
In the world of scientific research, impact factor serves as a critical barometer of influence and quality, measuring how often a journal's articles are cited by fellow researchers. For the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences (IJBMS), 2015 marked a watershed moment—a year of extraordinary growth that captured the attention of the global scientific community. As Iran strengthened its position in international science, with the country ranking first in scientific publications among all Islamic nations and claiming 2% of the world's research output, this particular journal emerged as a shining example of this rapid advancement 1 . The story of IJBMS in 2015 is not merely one of statistical improvement but reflects broader trends in Iran's scientific journey during a period of economic challenges and international sanctions.
The year 2015 represented a dramatic turning point for the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, with its impact factor soaring from 0.604 to 1.228—more than doubling in a single year 2 . This remarkable achievement signaled the journal's escalating quality and relevance within international scientific discourse. Such exponential growth rarely occurs in isolation; it reflected both the journal's strategic editorial decisions and Iran's expanding contribution to global research.
The journal's quality improvements were further evidenced by its increasingly selective publication process, with rejection rates climbing from 70.6% to 77.3% between 2014 and 2015 2 . This heightened selectivity ensured that only the most rigorous research reached publication, enhancing the journal's reputation among researchers in foundational medical disciplines including pharmacology, microbiology, genetics, and physiology 2 .
Impact Factor Increase
Rejection Rate
International Share
The IJBMS truly came of age as an international publication in 2015, with nearly 30% of its published articles originating from 14 different countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America 2 . This expanding global footprint transformed the journal into a genuine cross-cultural scientific forum while maintaining its distinctive regional character. The international collaboration exemplified how scientific inquiry transcends geographical and political boundaries, creating bridges between Iranian researchers and their counterparts worldwide.
The journal's content balance reflected this dual identity—serving as both an international platform for scientific exchange and a specialized venue for research addressing regional health challenges. This was particularly evident in the publication of studies investigating cancers with high incidence in northwestern Iran, where the journal's publisher, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, is located 3 . Research into gastrointestinal cancers, which demonstrate unusually high rates in Iran's northwestern provinces, represented one example of how the journal connected local health concerns with global scientific methodologies 3 .
| Region | Countries | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | 9 countries | Pharmacology, Microbiology |
| Middle East | 3 countries | Immunology, Pathology |
| Europe | Portugal | Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| South America | Colombia | Physiology |
To understand the quality and scope of research published in IJBMS during its landmark year, we can examine a representative area of investigation that captured the journal's scientific approach. While the specific methodological details of individual 2015 studies aren't fully elaborated in the available sources, the journal consistently published innovative biomedical research that combined laboratory techniques with potential clinical applications. One such research avenue explored advanced treatments for conditions like melanoma, reflecting the journal's commitment to addressing significant health challenges through basic science.
A typical experimental approach published in the journal might have involved investigating novel therapeutic strategies for melanoma cells, examining how specific compounds could enhance the effectiveness of genetic interventions. Such a study would exemplify the journal's interdisciplinary nature, bridging pharmacology, genetics, and cellular biology.
Melanoma cells would be maintained in specialized media under controlled conditions (37°C, 5% CO₂) to ensure optimal growth and experimental consistency.
Cells would be divided into experimental groups receiving different treatment combinations including BRAF (V600E)-siRNA, Trehalose, and Hydroxychloroquine.
Researchers would employ multiple analytical techniques including Western Blot Analysis, Flow Cytometry, and MTT Assay to evaluate treatment effects.
In our representative study, results would likely demonstrate that the combination treatment approach yielded significantly enhanced outcomes compared to individual interventions. The data might show that trehalose potentiated the effects of BRAF (V600E)-siRNA, resulting in markedly reduced melanoma cell viability.
Specialized mammalian cell lines for studying disease mechanisms
siRNA molecules for selective gene silencing
Chemical compounds to modulate cellular pathways
Advanced equipment for precise outcome quantification
The journal's growth trajectory in 2015 occurred alongside significant challenges characteristic of rapidly expanding research ecosystems. The editorial leadership confronted substantial ethical concerns, primarily regarding author conduct that threatened research integrity 2 . Two issues proved particularly problematic: simultaneous submission of manuscripts to multiple journals and duplicate publication of previously published research 2 .
These ethical challenges highlighted the intense pressure facing researchers in competitive academic environments. The editorial response was notably proactive, implementing stricter submission declarations and enhancing detection methods during editorial review. As noted in the journal's 2015 editorial, this situation underscored the need for "training of researchers or even by establishing a blacklist of the offending authors" 2 —a clear indication that the journal's leadership recognized that maintaining scientific integrity was as crucial as advancing quantitative metrics.
The transformative year for the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences in 2015 represented more than statistical improvement—it marked the journal's arrival as a credible voice in global scientific discourse. By doubling its impact factor, expanding international collaboration, maintaining methodological rigor, and confronting ethical challenges directly, IJBMS established itself as both a product and a propeller of Iran's growing research capabilities.
This progress was particularly remarkable considering it occurred despite significant economic constraints and limited research funding—with Iran spending only about 0.5% of its GDP on research during this period 1 .
The achievements documented in the journal's 2015 volumes thus testified to the resourcefulness and dedication of researchers and editors working within challenging circumstances.
The legacy of this breakthrough year extends beyond bibliometrics, offering a compelling case study in how scientific excellence can emerge despite substantial obstacles. As a window into Iran's dynamic research landscape, the 2015 volume of IJBMS continues to serve as an inspiring milestone and a foundation for subsequent generations of researchers seeking to contribute to global medical knowledge while addressing health challenges with both local relevance and global significance.
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