A new version of a published or posted protocol includes updates and corrections made by the authors of the original protocol. All versions of a protocol are clearly numbered, dated, and linked to each other. The most recent version of a protocol is displayed as the default. To help users more easily find the protocol version most relevant for their needs, authors are asked to provide a description of modifications to each version of the protocol (e.g., “This version optimizes and provides more detail for the extraction steps for protein purification”).

Potential use cases

For protocols using the same technique for the same purpose:

1. Correct an error in the protocol.

2. Make relatively small modifications and updates to the protocol (e.g., describe a replacement reagent if the original reagent is no longer available from a manufacturer; describe use of a new instrument model; or confirming that the protocol also works, perhaps with minor modifications, using a different cell line, tissue, or model organism).

A fork is a copy of a protocol that anyone can modify and share. It allows authors of the forked protocol to modify a protocol, with the fork protocol being linked to the original. This way, the authors of the original protocol will get credited. To help other researchers more easily choose the protocol they want, users who fork a protocol will be asked to provide a description of the modification to the protocol (e.g., adapted the protocol to other species).

Potential use cases

For protocols using different techniques or for a different purpose:

1. Optimize a protocol for a different purpose, organism, or system.

2. Optimize a protocol using a different technique.

An author should submit or post a new protocol, and not fork or version the original protocol, if the changes to the procedure are substantial. We understand that sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether proposed changes might be considered substantial. If you have questions, please contact the Bio-protocol team at eb@bio-protocol.org.

One example of substantial changes that would justify submitting a new protocol is when the original protocol is applied to a new species, organ, or tissue and requires a new approach to sample collection or preparation that would significantly change multiple experimental steps in the protocol.