The journal publishes regular articles and reviews in the areas of molecular, cell, and supracellular biology. In particular, the journal intends to provide a forum for publishing data that analyze the supracellular, integrative actions of gene products and their impact on the formation of tissue structure and function. Submission of papers with an emphasis on structure-function relationships as revealed by recombinant molecular technologies is especially encouraged. Areas of research with a long-standing tradition of publishing in Cell & Tissue Research include:

- neurobiology
- neuroendocrinology
- endocrinology
- reproductive biology
- skeletal and immune systems
- development
- stem cells
- muscle biology