The inaugural issue, available online and in print today, features peer-reviewed research articles on diverse topics--ranging from malaria genetics to elephant evolution--authored by prominent scientists from around the world.

PLoS Biology is an open access publication - all of these articles are freely available via the Internet to anyone, anywhere to read, download, print, distribute and reuse, so long as proper attribution of authorship is maintained.

"Scientists want their work to be seen and used," states Dr. Harold Varmus, chairman of the PLoS Board of Directors and former Director of the National Institutes of Health. "The outstanding science in the first issue of PLoS Biology shows that many scientists believe in open access and are willing to demonstrate their convictions by sending their best work to a brand-new and non-traditional journal."

"Science thrives on the free flow of information," said Dr. Patrick O. Brown of Stanford University and co-Founder of PLoS, "By removing restrictions on the sharing of knowledge--ensuring that anyone, anywhere can access the latest research findings--PLoS Biology will speed the pace of scientific discovery".

Scientific publishing is an industry with revenues exceeding $10 billion per year. The majority of existing journals restrict access to their current issues to individuals or institutions who have paid often hefty subscription or site-license fees. In order to make its content immediately available at no cost and with no restrictions, PLoS Biology will use a different business model. Authors of articles in PLoS Biology are asked to pay $1,500 to cover the costs of carrying out peer-review, providing edi
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Contact: Barbara Cohen
bcohen@plos.org
415-624-1206
Public Library of Science
13-Oct-2003