Biological Trace Element Research is an international journal dedicated to publishing high-quality articles that advance knowledge of the importance and roles of trace elements for the health and well-being of humans and animals. This knowledge may be conveyed by original research articles, brief communications, and reviews, including those describing negative results from well-preformed experiments giving unexpected or unusual findings. Classical experiments using animal and human models to study deficiency, supra-nutritional, pharmacological, and toxicological aspects of trace elements are especially desired. In vitro, cell culture and microbial models that help in defining the biochemical and physiological roles of trace elements are also welcomed. Studies involving plant models are invited if they are related to the provision of trace elements to animals and humans. Articles involving the importance of trace elements for plant growth, composition, and reproduction will be considered more suitable for other journals focusing on that area of science. Submission of manuscripts describing the use of an agent to treat trace element-induced toxicity are discouraged unless the treatment provides information of the mechanism of the trace-element induced toxicity or the agent is specially designed, such as a newly designed chelating ligand, to attempt to treat the trace-element-induced toxicity. Submission of manuscripts describing the synthesis of nanoparticles or similar materials accompanied by basic toxicity or efficacy experiments are discouraged unless the studies provide novel information of the mechanism and/or physiological significance of trace element-induced toxicity or other activity in a biological system. Submission of manuscripts describing the trace element content of local food items are discouraged unless the manuscript places the results into a broader context. Health risk assessment of local data does not necessarily provide such broader context. Submission of manuscripts describing predictive results from database studies is discouraged unless the findings are validated in a biological system. Biological Trace Element Research is published monthly - online - to provide timely and useful information to nutritionists, physiologists, biochemists, chemists, and toxicologists about the biological importance of trace elements. Past Editor-in-Chief: Gerhard N. Schrauzer, San Diego, CA, United States of America (deceased 2014).