Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 290: L1, 2006;
doi:10.1152/ajplung.00381.2005
1040-0605/06 $8.00
EDITORIAL
A new era of opportunities in lung research
The American Journal of Physiology–Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology was introduced in 1989. During the past 17 years, the Journal has grown to have a major impact on pulmonary and respiratory sciences. The Journal has published volumes of original and important research on lung and respiratory diseases that have utilized innovative in vitro and in vivo approaches to understanding normal lung physiology and the cellular and molecular basis of lung disease. Functional studies in animals have been revolutionized with the advent of inducible transgenic, gene knockout, and gene knock-in approaches. In addition, translational human studies have used innovative approaches to relate cellular and molecular mechanisms to clinical outcomes. Major research topics of interest in almost every issue of the Journal include studies of surfactant function, alveolar and airway epithelial biology, pulmonary circulation, matrix biology, the pulmonary host defense mechanisms including macrophage and neutrophil biology, transport of salt water and protein across the alveolar capillary barrier, the development and differentiation of the respiratory system, innate and acquired immunity, and the cellular responses to microbial pathogens and the environment.
The Journal has greatly benefited in the last six years by the outstanding leadership of the Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Asrar Malik. During his tenure, the Journal has initiated new directions that include publication of articles on translational physiology and special calls for contributions on stem cell biology, acute lung injury, and oxidant reactions. We acknowledge our deep appreciation for the contributions of Dr. Malik and his staff of Associate Editors (Drs. Matthay, McMurtry, Pitt, Schumacker, and Ye) as well as Laura Devaney Foote, administrative assistant for Dr. Malik. We also appreciate the excellent work by Maria Bokman at the American Physiological Society as the Journal Editorial Supervisor in organizing and planning the issues.
The landscape of potential novel approaches to lung research has been revolutionized by an explosion of sophisticated technologies including genomics, proteomics, nanotechnology, siRNA, stem cell biology, imaging, and bioinformatics. As editors of this Journal, we will encourage original submissions that embrace these novel approaches and will publish timely reviews on the practical applications of these new techniques for lung research. However, we will maintain our connection with the importance of functional studies in relevant in vivo models of lung disease. We will also encourage submission of articles that define the connection between lung disease and dysfunction of other organs, trying to understand common mechanisms that may relate epithelial, mesothelial, and endothelial biology to systemic illnesses. The Journal will continue to consider studies that are focused on basic mechanisms of lung cellular and molecular biology, especially those that employ relevant in vivo model systems. We will also encourage submission of manuscripts that advance the understanding of how the lung functions in the context of pathologically and clinically relevant diseases. Clearly, the use of genetically altered mouse models of lung injury has added considerable insight into basic mechanisms of lung disease, and these will continue to occupy an important position in this Journal. We will also encourage human-based research that fulfills the mission of the American Physiological Society to increase the publication of high-quality research that links basic to clinical sciences. This initiative to increase the publication of translational articles in physiology journals is complementary to the goal of the National Institutes of Health and other organizations for translating basic insights obtained from experimental studies to clinical medicine. We strongly ascribe to bench-to-bedside and bedside-to-bench research initiatives.
The management of all submitted manuscripts by electronic submission has facilitated the timely and efficient review of manuscripts in the last six years. This process should continue to expedite peer review and publication of manuscripts. Manuscripts can be published online within one week of the submission of the final accepted manuscript to the American Physiological Society. Our goal is to maintain and expand the legacy of the American Journal of Physiology–Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology to publish high-quality lung research.
Michael A. Matthay, Editor-in-Chief
John W. Christman, Associate Editor
Bruce R. Pitt, Associate Editor
Lisa M. Schwiebert, Associate Editor
Troy Stevens, Associate Editor
Lorraine B. Ware, Associate Editor
Copyright © 2006 by the American Physiological Society.
