Aims & Scope
Research Domains
Mammary Gland Biology
- Mammary epithelial cell differentiation and function
- Alveolar development and morphogenesis
- Mammary stem cell biology and lineage specification
- Glandular tissue architecture and remodeling
- Involution mechanisms and cellular dynamics
- Vascular development in mammary tissue
Molecular characterization of lactocyte secretory pathways during milk protein synthesis and lipid droplet formation
Lactation Physiology & Regulation
- Hormonal control of lactogenesis (prolactin, oxytocin, cortisol)
- Milk synthesis and secretion mechanisms
- Milk ejection reflex and neuroendocrine pathways
- Autocrine regulation of milk production
- Metabolic adaptations during lactation
- Circadian regulation of milk composition
Investigation of feedback inhibitor of lactation (FIL) signaling pathways and their role in milk volume regulation
Human Milk Composition & Bioactivity
- Macronutrient biosynthesis (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates)
- Immunological components (immunoglobulins, cytokines, antimicrobial peptides)
- Bioactive molecules (growth factors, hormones, enzymes)
- Oligosaccharide structure and function
- Micronutrient content and bioavailability
- Milk microbiome and microbial metabolites
Proteomic analysis of milk fat globule membrane proteins and their role in infant gut barrier development
Maternal Nutritional Biology
- Nutrient partitioning during lactation
- Maternal dietary effects on milk composition
- Metabolic programming through lactation
- Maternal micronutrient status and milk quality
- Energy metabolism and substrate utilization
- Maternal-infant nutrient transfer mechanisms
Stable isotope tracer studies examining maternal fatty acid metabolism and incorporation into milk lipids
Breastfeeding Initiation & Support
- Initiation interventions and early support programs
- Lactation consultant effectiveness studies
- Peer support and counseling outcomes
- Hospital practices and skin-to-skin contact
- Barriers to breastfeeding initiation
- Duration and exclusivity interventions
Randomized trial evaluating lactation support interventions on breastfeeding duration at 6 months postpartum
NICU Feeding & Preterm Infant Care
- Human milk feeding in neonatal intensive care
- Donor milk programs and pasteurization effects
- Fortification strategies for preterm infants
- Kangaroo care and breastfeeding outcomes
- Transition from tube to breast feeding
- Pumping and milk expression for NICU infants
Comparison of feeding protocols on growth outcomes and necrotizing enterocolitis rates in very low birth weight infants
Medication Safety in Lactation
- Drug transfer into human milk
- Pharmacokinetics during lactation
- Risk assessment for infant exposure
- Treatment guidelines for lactating mothers
- Herbal and supplement safety
- Galactagogue efficacy and safety
Systematic review of antidepressant transfer into breast milk and infant safety outcomes
Maternal Conditions & Infant Outcomes
- Breastfeeding with maternal chronic conditions
- Diabetes, obesity, and lactation success
- Mental health and breastfeeding continuation
- Mastitis and breast pathology management
- Long-term infant health outcomes
- Neurodevelopmental effects of breastfeeding
Cohort study examining breastfeeding duration and childhood cognitive outcomes with adjustment for confounders
Breastfeeding Promotion Strategies
- National and regional breastfeeding campaigns
- Mass media and social marketing interventions
- Healthcare provider education programs
- Policy impact on breastfeeding rates
- Economic analysis of breastfeeding promotion
- Global breastfeeding initiatives and WHO code
Evaluation of national breastfeeding awareness campaign on initiation rates across socioeconomic groups
Workplace & Institutional Support
- Workplace lactation accommodation policies
- Paid parental leave and breastfeeding duration
- Employer-sponsored lactation programs
- Childcare facility breastfeeding support
- Return-to-work pumping challenges
- Legal protections for breastfeeding employees
Mixed-methods study of workplace lactation room availability and breastfeeding continuation among employed mothers
Health Disparities & Equity
- Racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding
- Socioeconomic factors affecting breastfeeding
- Culturally-appropriate support interventions
- Indigenous and minority community programs
- Rural vs urban breastfeeding access
- Strategies for reducing breastfeeding inequities
Community-based participatory research on culturally-tailored breastfeeding support for underserved populations
BFHI & Community Programs
- Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative implementation
- Ten Steps compliance and outcomes
- Community-based breastfeeding support groups
- WIC and nutrition assistance programs
- Peer counselor training effectiveness
- Program evaluation and quality improvement
Implementation science study of Baby-Friendly designation process and sustained breastfeeding rate improvements
Infant Developmental Outcomes
Mechanisms by which milk components influence infant growth, immune system maturation, gut microbiome establishment, and neurodevelopment. Observational outcomes and implementation evaluations are welcome when methodologically rigorous and directly relevant to breastfeeding practice, equity, or policy impact.
Comparative Lactation Biology
Cross-species studies examining evolutionary adaptations in lactation, milk composition variation across mammals, and translational models for human lactation research.
Lactation Pathophysiology
Biological mechanisms underlying lactation disorders including mastitis pathogenesis, insufficient milk production at the cellular level, and mammary gland inflammation. Clinical management studies also welcome.
Methodological Innovations
Novel analytical techniques for milk analysis, lactation assessment tools with biological or clinical validation, omics approaches (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics), and imaging technologies for mammary tissue.
Emerging Areas (Selective Consideration)
Article Types
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- ARRIVE 2.0 for animal studies
- STROBE for observational studies with biological data
- CONSORT for randomized trials
- PRISMA for systematic reviews
- MIQE for qPCR experiments
Data & Reproducibility
- Raw data deposition in public repositories required
- Detailed methods enabling replication
- Statistical analysis code availability
- Biological materials sharing agreements
- Preregistration encouraged for hypothesis-driven studies
Ethics & Compliance
- IRB/Ethics committee approval for human studies
- IACUC approval for animal research
- Informed consent documentation
- Declaration of conflicts of interest
- Funding source transparency
Preprint Policy
- Preprints on bioRxiv, medRxiv accepted
- Preprint DOI must be declared at submission
- Peer review proceeds independently
- Published version supersedes preprint
- Preprint servers encouraged for rapid dissemination
