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Editor's Message
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 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 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
and Lorraine B. Ware, Associate Editor
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