A FASEB Publications Guide

Your title and abstract will serve as the first impression for potential readers, including the reviewers and editors that will make a decision on your manuscript. The title and abstract will function like a window into your paper and can also influence how much your article is read and cited after publication. This guide will provide some essential tips for authors on writing impactful titles and abstracts that effectively communicate research findings in the biological and biomedical sciences.

Writing an Effective Title

A strong title should be concise, informative, and engaging. It should accurately reflect the key findings of the research while capturing the interest of the target audience.

Key Elements of a Strong Title

• Clarity: Use clear and precise language that conveys the main topic of the study. Action verbs are your friend!
• Brevity: Keep the title concise (typically under 15 words) to maintain readability. Try not to compromise on grammar though!
• Specificity: Highlight the main discovery or focus rather than using vague or broad terms. Consider your take-home message, what you want readers to remember after reading your paper.
• Keywords: Incorporate relevant scientific terms to improve discoverability in search engines and databases. Avoid abbreviations as much as possible!
• Avoid Jargon: Minimize overly technical terms that may obscure the study’s main message, like complex scientific names or chemical formulas.
• Engagement: If appropriate, use a compelling phrase or question to draw attention.

Example

A Study of Multi-Omic Biomarker Stratification in HCC and CRC via NGA and qPCR: Implications on PPI Dysregulation and Therapeutic Modality Efficacy in Tumorigenesis

• Too long, too many abbreviations, and too much jargon, incorrect grammar

Multi-Omic Biomarker Analysis of Liver and Colorectal Cancer Yields Insights into Protein Interactions and Therapy Response

Writing an Informative Abstract

The abstract provides a concise summary of the study’s purpose, methods, key findings, and significance. It should be organized logically to guide readers in understanding the importance of the research.

Tips for Writing a Strong Abstract

• Word Limit: FASEB Publications require that the abstract be no more than 250 words -- follow the guidelines of the journal you are submitting your research to (The FASEB Journal Author Guidelines | FASEB BioAdvances Author Guidelines).
• Be Concise: Avoid unnecessary words and redundant phrases. If an abbreviation is used only once, spell it out; however, if used more than once, define the abbreviations at first use.
• Use Active Voice: Use active over passive voice for clarity (e.g., “We identified…” instead of “It was identified…”). This will make your abstract more engaging (and likely cut excess words, too).
• Avoid Citations: Abstracts should stand alone without references. 
• Maintain Accessibility:Write in a clear and logical flow to make your study understandable by both specialists and non-specialists. You can follow the general structure of a research paper (see ‘Elements of an Abstract’ below).
• Use Keywords for SEO: Include relevant keywords throughout the abstract to optimize search engine ranking. Repeating key terms contextually can improve discoverability, making it easier for researchers to find (and then cite!) your work online.

 Elements of an Abstract

1. Background (1-2 sentences): Briefly introduce the scientific context and research question.

Liver (HCC) and colorectal (CRC) cancers remain leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with treatment response often dictated by complex molecular interactions. Multi-omic profiling provides a powerful approach to uncover biomarker signatures that influence tumor progression and therapy efficacy.

2. Objective (1 sentence): Clearly state the main goal of the study. 

Here, we aimed to characterize key biomarker networks in HCC and CRC by integrating next-generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) to analyze dysregulation of gene expression and protein-protein interaction (PPI).

3. Results (3-5 sentences): Highlight the most significant findings with supporting data. Include information on the methods used as appropriate. 

We identified distinct biomarker signatures associated with tumorigenesis, including differential expression of key oncogenes and tumor suppressors. NGS revealed significant upregulation of proliferative and immune-evasive pathways in HCC, while CRC exhibited increased metabolic reprogramming. PPI network analysis highlighted disrupted signaling hubs critical for tumor progression, with validation via qPCR confirming dysregulation of candidate biomarkers. Furthermore, stratification based on biomarker profiles correlated with differential responses to targeted therapies, suggesting potential for personalized treatment strategies.

4. Conclusion (1-2 sentences): Interpret your results into a take-home message and define the study's impact and potential implications. 

Our findings demonstrate that integrating multi-omic biomarker analysis enhances our understanding of tumor biology and therapeutic response in HCC and CRC. These insights may inform precision oncology approaches, enabling more effective, biomarker-driven treatment strategies.