Gene: X Template
Get your Gene: X paper right the first time: a ready-made structure with the right abstract and citations, so editors see your science, not formatting slips.
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How to Use the Gene: X Template | A Step-by-Step Guide
Authored by Sumalatha Gangadhar | Published on 13 August, 2026
Submitting to Gene: X goes smoothly when your draft already matches the journal's own rules. Editors screen new manuscripts against the Gene: X guide for authors before peer review, so formatting, structure, and required statements should be right on the first draft rather than repaired during upload. This template sets that structure up for you.
What is the Gene: X Template?
It is a manuscript shell aligned to Gene: X. It covers front matter, the abstract the journal expects, a body organized to the journal's article types, and a reference list in the journal's required style. Confirm current scope and article types on the Gene: X journal page before you draft.
What's actually in a Gene X submission:
Prepare the title, authors, affiliations, and ORCID iDs. Write the abstract to the journal's rule and word limit, organize the body to the article type, and apply the required reference style from the first citation. Complete every declaration (ethics, competing interests, funding, data availability) the Gene: X guide for authors lists, and cite figures and tables in order.
What separates a clean submission from one that gets kicked back:
The common failure modes are formatting or reference style that does not match the guide for authors, missing required statements, and an incomplete portal checklist. Clear all three against the Gene: X guide for authors before you submit.
What does this Gene: X Template include?
The shell mirrors what editorial staff check first: article-type fit, the abstract rules, required declarations, and the journal's reference style. For more detail see the author resources. When your draft is ready, upload it through the journal's submission system.
Steps to Use This Template with SciSpace Agent
- Click Start Writing on this page. The SciSpace Agent prompt screen opens with the template loaded.
- Use the loaded template, or upload a version your group already uses for Gene X.
- Edit the prompt with your topic and article type, and note any requirement from the Gene: X guide for authors.
- Run the prompt. The agent drafts into the correct structure and reference style.
- Use View Outputs to verify required statements and formatting are present.
- Export and submit through the journal's submission system.
Gene: X Template Structure at a Glance
| Element | Gene X requirement |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Concise and factual abstract required stating briefly the purpose of research, principal results, and major conclusions. Abstract must be able to stand alone. References should be avoided (if essential, cite author(s) and year(s)). Non-standard or uncommon abbreviations should be avoided (if essential, must be defined at first mention in abstract itself). No specific word limit stated in the guide |
| Main text | No specific word or page limits stated in the guide. Manuscripts should contain essential elements: Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Conclusions, with Artwork and Tables with Captions. Article should be divided into clearly defined sections. Highlights mandatory (3-5 bullet points, max 85 characters each) |
| Declarations | Ethics approval/consent as applicable; competing interests; funding; data availability |
| Figures/tables | Publication-ready; cited in order |
| Supplemental | Upload separately when used |
| Keywords | Maximum of 6 keywords required. Use American spelling. Avoid general and plural terms and multiple concepts. Be sparing with abbreviations (only those firmly established in field). Use only words not already present in the title |
| References | No strict requirements on reference formatting at initial submission. References can be in any style or format as long as style is consistent. Must include author(s) name(s), journal/book title, chapter/article title, year of publication, volume number, and article number or pagination. DOI use highly encouraged. The journal's reference style applied by Elsevier at proof stage after acceptance |
| Peer review | Single-blind review process (also called single-anonymous). All contributions initially assessed by editor for suitability. Papers deemed suitable typically sent to minimum of two independent expert reviewers to assess scientific quality. Editor responsible for final decision |
| Submission | ees.elsevier.com/gene/ |
Quick Tips for Using the Gene: X Template
Read the Gene: X guide for authors once before drafting and once before upload. Draft the abstract after results are stable. Set the reference style before adding citations. Keep a cover letter that states your contribution and fit to Gene: X in under a page.
Best Practices
Skim two or three recent Gene X papers to calibrate depth and figure style. Make the novelty clear in the first two pages. Deposit data and code when the policy on the Gene: X journal page requires it. Disclose any preprint or conference version with identifiers in the cover letter.
Before You Submit: Final Check
Do one focused pass against the Gene: X guide for authors: scope, length, reference style, required declarations, and figure quality. Then submit through the journal's submission system.
