Plant Cell Reports publishes original, peer-reviewed articles on new advances in all aspects of plant cell science, plant genetics and molecular biology. Papers selected for publication contribute significant new advances to clearly identified technological problems and/or biological questions. The articles will prove relevant beyond the narrow topic of interest to a readership with broad scientific background. The coverage includes such topics as:

- genomics and genetics
- metabolism
- cell biology
- abiotic and biotic stress
- phytopathology
- gene transfer and expression
- molecular pharming
- systems biology
- nanobiotechnology
- genome editing
- phenomics and synthetic biology

The journal also publishes opinion papers, review and focus articles on the latest developments and new advances in research and technology in plant molecular biology and biotechnology.