LAUSR

Between December 2017 and June 2018, our editorial offices received several manuscripts that clearly point to systematic fabrication of Western blots. FEBS Press implemented its image integrity screening program in 2016, and we have since adopted a policy where we carefully screen the figures of every accepted manuscript prior to publication for potential image manipulation and inappropriate practice. The most common figure manipulations we encounter typically consist of duplications, erasing, or the introduction of spurious elements to an existing image. Even more concerning than this however are entirely fabricated images that are most likely not even based on any valid experiments. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.