how to cite biorender

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13-12-2024

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BioRender has revolutionized the way scientists and researchers create professional-looking figures for their publications, presentations, and other scientific communications. Its intuitive interface and vast library of pre-made elements make creating complex biological illustrations significantly easier. However, the ease of use raises a crucial question: how do you properly cite BioRender to give credit where it's due and avoid plagiarism? This comprehensive guide will address this important issue and offer practical advice. We will explore different citation styles and provide examples, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and consistency.

Understanding the Need for BioRender Citation

Properly citing BioRender is essential for several reasons:

• Academic Integrity: Failing to cite sources, including image creation tools like BioRender, constitutes plagiarism. This can have serious consequences, including retraction of publications and damage to your academic reputation.
• Transparency and Reproducibility: Citing BioRender allows readers to understand how your figures were created, potentially facilitating replication of your work or enabling others to adapt your methods.
• Giving Credit: BioRender's creators deserve recognition for the valuable tool they've developed. Proper citation is a fundamental aspect of respecting intellectual property.

How to Cite BioRender: A Step-by-Step Guide

Unfortunately, there's no single, universally accepted "BioRender citation." The best approach is to treat BioRender similarly to other software used in creating figures, acknowledging its contribution within the figure legend or caption. There is no DOI or PMID associated with BioRender itself. The citation should reflect the role BioRender played in creating the specific figure, not the platform generally. Different citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) will have their own nuances, but the core principle remains the same: clearly indicate that the image was created using BioRender.

Example Citations in Different Styles:

Let's assume we have a figure showing a cell signaling pathway created using BioRender. Here's how we might cite it in various styles:

• APA (7th edition):

  "Figure 1. Cell signaling pathway involving ERK activation. Created with BioRender."

  (Note: The APA style guide doesn't have a specific entry for software like BioRender. This approach is consistent with how software tools are generally handled in APA.)

• MLA (9th edition):

  "Figure 1. Cell signaling pathway involving ERK activation. Image created using BioRender."

• Chicago (Notes and Bibliography):

  "Figure 1. Cell signaling pathway involving ERK activation. Image created using BioRender. " (This would then be reflected in a footnote or endnote)

• IEEE:

  "Fig. 1. Cell signaling pathway involving ERK activation. (Generated using BioRender)."

What to Include in your Figure Caption/Legend:

Regardless of the citation style, your figure caption or legend should always contain the following information:

• A concise and informative title: Clearly describe the content of the figure.
• Brief description of the figure: Explain the key elements and their relationships.
• Attribution to BioRender: Explicitly state that BioRender was used to create the figure. Avoid vague language; clearly state "Created with BioRender" or a similar phrase.
• Data source (if applicable): If the figure incorporates data from another source (e.g., a published study), cite that source as well, using the appropriate style.
• Any modifications: If you made significant alterations to the BioRender-generated image, mention these changes. For example, you might state: "Image created using BioRender, with modifications to labels by the authors."

Advanced Considerations:

• Complex Figures: If your BioRender image incorporates elements from multiple sources (e.g., data from a specific experiment and icons from BioRender), you must cite each source appropriately.
• Reproducibility: Providing sufficient detail in your caption might also include mentioning any specific BioRender templates used, although this isn't always necessary.

Beyond Basic Citation: Maximizing Transparency

While correctly citing BioRender within the figure caption is crucial, consider these strategies to further enhance transparency and reproducibility:

• Data Availability Statements: In many journals, data availability statements are becoming standard practice. If relevant, consider mentioning how the image was created to ensure full transparency.
• Supplementary Materials: If the figure is highly detailed or complex, you might consider including a supplementary file with more information on its creation, perhaps even a screenshot of the BioRender workspace.

Example of a More Detailed Caption:

"Figure 2: Schematic representation of the proposed mechanism of action for Drug X. This figure was created using BioRender, incorporating elements from the BioRender 'Cell Signaling' and 'Membrane Transport' libraries. Data illustrating Drug X's binding affinity to target protein Y are taken from [cite relevant publication]. Minor modifications, such as the addition of specific labels, were made by the authors."

Conclusion:

Accurate citation of BioRender is vital for maintaining academic integrity and promoting transparency in scientific communication. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, researchers can ensure they give appropriate credit to BioRender while also adhering to the standards of their chosen citation style. Remember, consistent and correct citation practices are essential for maintaining the credibility and integrity of your research. The key takeaway is to be clear, concise, and explicit in your acknowledgment of the tool within your figure legend or caption. This allows readers to understand your workflow, promotes reproducibility, and adheres to the highest ethical standards in scientific publishing.