Apr 16, 2024
Western blot images are a common source of integrity issues in scientific publishing, often due to unintentional errors or deliberate manipulation. The high volume of submissions makes manual verification challenging, increasing the risk of problematic figures entering the literature. AI-powered tools like Proofig AI streamline pre-publication image checks, allowing editors and publishers to identify concerns efficiently.
Western blotting is a commonly used technique in laboratories around the world to detect proteins and gauge their expression levels. A search for ‘Western blot’ on PubMed returns over 400,000 results, with 20,000 of those from 2022 alone. However, according to leading image data integrity analyst Jana Christopher, MA, the percentage of manuscripts flagged for image-related problems, including issues with Western blots, ranges from 20% to 35%.
With potentially far-reaching consequences for any journals publishing such papers and for the scientific literature as a whole, identifying and resolving these issues pre-publication is crucial.
Risks to Publishers
The most serious consequence of publishing an article containing image integrity issues is retraction. Arguably, retractions have the biggest impact on the authors' careers and reputations, but the journal can also pay a price.
The process might begin with a reader privately writing to the author’s institution to confess concerns about an article or more publicly posting an anonymous comment on a platform such as Retraction Watch or PubPeer. The journal may then have to investigate, possibly in conjunction with other parties, such as the author's research institution, funding agencies, or regulatory bodies. This investigation can take years. Multiple retractions could also lead to journals being delisted from indexes or closed.
In addition, a retraction can damage the journal's reputation for publishing high-quality research. Reputational damage occurs during an investigation whether allegations turn out to be valid or not. This can lead to a loss of trust among readers, authors, and funding agencies. It can also make it more difficult for the journal to attract top-quality manuscripts in the future.
Retracting an article can also be expensive for the journal. It involves the cost of notifying readers, authors, and funding agencies, as well as re-evaluating other articles by the same authors. In some cases, the journal can become embroiled in legal battles or be forced to pay damages to the affected parties.
Where Issues Arise
People reporting instances of image issues often assume that the only reason for altering an image like a Western blot is to falsify results or fraudulently increase chances of publication. However, most issues are honest mistakes.