Tracing the evolution of a pioneering scientific journal and its impact on modern genetics research
When Acta Genetica Sinica (now known as the Journal of Genetics and Genomics) published its first issue in 1974, the field of genetics looked dramatically different than it does today. The double helix structure of DNA had been discovered just two decades earlier, techniques for sequencing genes were in their infancy, and the idea of mapping an entire organism's genome seemed like science fiction. In this scientific landscape, China established its own dedicated platform for disseminating cutting-edge genetic research—a publication that would become instrumental in shaping biological science for decades to come. For thirty years, this journal served as the primary conduit for Chinese geneticists to share their discoveries with the world, while simultaneously introducing international research to the Chinese scientific community.
The significance of Acta Genetica Sinica extends far beyond its pages. It mirrored the rapid evolution of genetics as a discipline, chronicling how scientists progressed from studying basic inheritance patterns to manipulating genes and sequencing entire genomes.
As we examine the journal's remarkable thirty-year journey, we discover not just the story of a scientific publication, but the story of how genetics transformed from a theoretical field to an applied science that continues to reshape medicine, agriculture, and our fundamental understanding of life itself.
Acta Genetica Sinica's story begins in 1974, when it was established under the sponsorship of the Genetics Society of China and the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. For its first three decades, the journal served as China's premier platform for genetic research, publishing original papers across genetics, developmental biology, cell molecular biology, and evolution 1 . During this period, the journal built its reputation by consistently featuring research that combined methodological innovation with biological insight.
In its early years, the journal established itself as a leading national academic periodical and one of China's key natural science publications. During this period, it gained recognition in several well-known international indexing systems, including the American Chemical Digest (CA), BIOSIS database, Biological Digest (BA), and Russian Digest 1 .
As genetic research accelerated globally, Acta Genetica Sinica expanded its scope and improved its editorial standards. The journal began attracting higher-quality submissions and increased its international visibility through inclusion in additional indexing services.
In 2007, the journal underwent a significant rebranding, changing its name to the Journal of Genetics and Genomics (JGG) to reflect its broader scope and international aspirations 2 4 5 . This change marked its evolution from a primarily domestic-focused publication to an international journal seeking to compete on the global stage.
This transformation yielded impressive results. The journal's impact and reach grew substantially, as evidenced by various metrics tracking its influence in the scientific community 4 .
The rising prestige of Acta Genetica Sinica (and later JGG) in the scientific community is clearly reflected in various quantitative metrics that measure a journal's influence. Scientometric analysis reveals a story of consistent improvement in both the quality and impact of the research published in the journal.
SJR measures the prestige of citations based on the importance of the citing journal.
Citations per Document (4-year window) shows increasing influence.
| Year | SJR Indicator | Quartile Ranking | Citations per Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 0.128 | Q4 | 0.123 |
| 2005 | 0.193 | Q4 | 0.407 |
| 2010 | 0.526 | Q3 | 1.201 |
| 2015 | 1.807 | Q1 | 3.140 |
| 2020 | 1.391 | Q2 | 3.078 |
| 2024 | 1.882 | Q1 | 4.833 |
These metrics reveal a clear trajectory: from relatively modest beginnings, the journal progressively elevated its standing in the global scientific community, eventually achieving Q1 status in both Genetics and Molecular Biology categories—placing it among the top 25% of journals in these competitive fields 4 .
This quantitative improvement reflects conscious efforts to enhance editorial standards, attract higher-quality submissions, and increase the journal's international visibility. The growth in impact corresponds with the journal's name change to JGG in 2007 and its continued emphasis on publishing novel discoveries across all areas of genetics and genomics.
To appreciate the scientific significance of research published in Acta Genetica Sinica, we can examine a representative study from its pages that demonstrates the journal's commitment to publishing innovative genetic research with practical applications. In 2006, the journal featured a paper titled "Cloning and Expression of a Chitinase Gene from Sanguibacter sp. C4" that illustrated the powerful applications of genetic engineering 8 .
Chitin, the second most abundant natural polysaccharide after cellulose, forms the structural component in fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons. While remarkably durable, chitin accumulation can pose environmental challenges. Researchers therefore sought efficient biological methods to degrade chitin using bacterial enzymes, which would have applications in agricultural waste management, biocontrol of fungal pathogens, and industrial biotechnology.
Published in Acta Genetica Sinica, 2006
The research team employed a systematic approach to isolate, characterize, and produce a novel chitin-degrading enzyme:
Researchers first isolated the Sanguibacter sp. C4 strain from a natural environment and identified its chitinase gene using degenerate primers designed from conserved regions of known chitinase sequences.
The specific chitinase gene (named chiC4) was amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and inserted into a plasmid vector using restriction enzymes that created compatible ends.
The engineered plasmid containing the chiC4 gene was transformed into Escherichia coli cells, creating a recombinant expression system that could produce the enzyme in large quantities.
The transformed E. coli cells were cultured in liquid medium and induced to express the chitinase protein through the addition of isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG).
The researchers then isolated and purified the chitinase enzyme using affinity chromatography techniques, yielding a preparation suitable for biochemical characterization.
The team tested the enzymatic activity of the purified chitinase using colloidal chitin as a substrate, measuring the generation of reaction products to quantify degradation efficiency.
The experiment yielded impressive results that highlighted both the scientific and practical value of the discovered enzyme. The researchers quantified the enzyme's efficiency by measuring its activity under various conditions, revealing optimal performance parameters.
| Parameter | Measurement | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | ~70 kDa | Typical size for bacterial chitinases |
| Optimal Temperature | 50°C | Relatively thermostable for industrial applications |
| Optimal pH | 5.5 | Functions well in slightly acidic conditions |
| Specific Activity | 38.7 U/mg | High catalytic efficiency |
| Expression Yield | 15.2 mg/L | Good production in recombinant system |
The successful cloning and expression of this chitinase gene represented a significant advancement in the field of enzymatic waste processing. Unlike chemical methods for chitin degradation, which often require harsh conditions and generate environmental pollutants, this biological approach offered an eco-friendly alternative with specific applications in agriculture for controlling fungal pathogens and processing shellfish waste.
This study exemplified the type of research Acta Genetica Sinica regularly featured—work that combined fundamental genetic principles with clear practical applications. The methodological approach demonstrated how genetic engineering could harness natural biological processes for human benefit, a theme that recurred throughout the journal's published research.
The chitinase experiment, like most genetic studies published in Acta Genetica Sinica, relied on a specialized set of laboratory tools and reagents. These fundamental components of the genetic researcher's toolkit enabled the manipulation, analysis, and characterization of genetic material.
| Reagent/Tool | Function in Genetic Research |
|---|---|
| Plasmid Vectors | Small circular DNA molecules used as vehicles to introduce foreign genetic material into host organisms |
| Restriction Enzymes | Molecular scissors that cut DNA at specific sequences, enabling precise genetic engineering |
| DNA Polymerases | Enzymes that synthesize DNA molecules, essential for PCR amplification and sequencing |
| Expression Hosts | Model organisms (like E. coli) or cell lines used to produce proteins from cloned genes |
| Chromatography Systems | Techniques for purifying proteins or nucleic acids from complex mixtures |
| Electrophoresis Equipment | Systems for separating DNA, RNA, or proteins by size using an electric field |
| Spectral Substrates | Modified compounds that produce detectable signals when processed by enzymes |
PCR, cloning, sequencing, and expression analysis formed the core methodologies in genetic research published in the journal.
Electrophoresis, chromatography, and spectrometry enabled characterization of genetic materials and their products.
These foundational tools formed the basis of genetic research throughout much of Acta Genetica Sinica's publication history. While technological advancements have introduced more sophisticated versions of these tools, they remain essential components of the geneticist's toolkit, enabling discoveries across diverse subfields including medical genetics, evolutionary biology, and biotechnology 2 7 .
The thirty-year history of Acta Genetica Sinica represents far more than just the timeline of a scientific publication. It chronicles China's growing contribution to the field of genetics and reflects the dramatic evolution of the discipline itself. From its founding in 1974 through its transformation into the Journal of Genetics and Genomics, the journal has consistently served as a vital conduit for scientific exchange, enabling researchers to share novel discoveries that span the full spectrum of genetic science.
Today, as JGG, the journal continues to build on this legacy, maintaining its position as a leading platform for genetics research while adapting to new scientific paradigms. The journal now features cutting-edge research in genome editing, epigenetics, medical genetics, and bioinformatics—fields that were barely imaginable when the journal first began publication 7 . With an impressive impact factor of 7.1 and a rapid submission-to-first-decision time of just two days, JGG has successfully positioned itself as a competitive international journal while honoring its foundational mission 5 .
The story of Acta Genetica Sinica ultimately reminds us that scientific progress depends not just on individual discoveries, but on the communication networks that allow those discoveries to be shared, criticized, and built upon.
As genetics continues to revolutionize medicine, agriculture, and our understanding of life itself, the need for robust scientific dialogue remains as important as ever—a truth that guided this journal through its first thirty years and will undoubtedly continue to inform its future contributions to science.