Change is in the air

Abstract

Microbiology is an ever-changing discipline. Often a new technical advance leads to initial insights that then open up further investigation, thereby causing a ‘snowball effect’ of new knowledge and excitement in the field. As an example, following the sequencing of the first bacterial genome (Haemophilus influenzae) in 1995 [1xWhole-genome random sequencing and assembly of Haemophilus influenzae Rd. Fleischmann, R.D. et al. Science. 1995; 269: 496–512Crossref | PubMedSee all References][1] the volume of microbial genomic information skyrocketed – it is now possible to perform sophisticated analyses including deep-sequencing of entire microbial consortia. Based on these studies we are beginning to appreciate the diversity and function of microbial communities, such as the human microbiome and its role in human health, or marine microbes and their role in biogeochemical cycles. Trends in Microbiology has been an active facilitator in the changing microbiology field, publishing reviews and opinions that capture the trends, developments and excitement in the field of microbiology, ranging from an article when the genome of H. influenzae was sequenced [2xWhole genome sequencing of pathogens: a new era in microbiology. Moxon, E.R. Trends Microbiol. 1995; 3: 335–337Abstract | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (14)See all References][2] to recent reviews on viral metagenomics [3xNew dimensions of the virus world discovered through metagenomics. Kristensen, D.M. Trends Microbiol. 2010; 18: 11–19Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (140)See all References][3] and the human microbiota [4xThe role of microbiota in infectious disease. Stecher, B. and Hardt, W.-D. Trends Microbiol. 2008; 16: 107–114Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (211)See all References][4].More recently Trends in Microbiology has seen its own share of change. In 2007 all 14 Trends journals became part of Cell Press (http://www.cell.com/cellpress/trends). In late 2008 Cesar Sanchez stepped in as Acting Editor when the journal's previous Editor, Sam Morris, was on leave. The end of Cesar's tenure coincided with the move of the Trends editorial staff to the Cell Press headquarters in Cambridge, MA at the beginning of 2010, and at this point I took over as Editor of Trends in Microbiology. I would like to thank Cesar and Sam for being truly outstanding colleagues and for their tremendous dedication to Trends in Microbiology.I joined Cell Press in 2007 and have already had the privilege of interacting with many of you in my previous roles as Content Development Editor for Trends in Microbiology, Trends in Parasitology and Cell Host & Microbe and then as a Reviews Editor for Molecular Cell. These various editorial roles have helped to broaden my interests. However, my strongest interest has always been in microbiology – my graduate work at Northwestern University was on bacterial heavy metal resistance mechanisms and my post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago was on host–pathogen interactions. I am excited to be back at Trends in Microbiology because I see this as a place for thought-provoking discussions and for synthesis of cutting-edge research as the field of microbiology changes and evolves.Whereas the specific scientific topics alter over time, there are some things at Trends in Microbiology that will not change. Trends in Microbiology will remain a venue in which researchers from multiple fields can come together to discuss all aspects of the biology of microbes – from bacteria to viruses, fungi to protozoans. The journal will primarily continue to provide focused reviews with a selection of more comprehensive feature reviews, opinion articles, and forum articles that capture exciting new developments in microbiology from diverse perspectives, including pathogenesis, evolution, cell biology, immunity, environmental distribution, genomics, proteomics, epidemiology, and the intersection of microbiology with societal issues. Trends in Microbiology will also continue to have themed review issues and series such as our recent ‘Gene Ontology for Microbiologists’ special issue (July 2009) and our joint 2009 ‘Evolutionary Microbiology’ review series with Trends in Parasitology and Cell Host & Microbe.I invite you to visit the journal's newly designed website where you can view our current content (http://www.cell.com/trends/microbiology/home). This is now a dynamic page where, in addition to the current issue, you will find articles published online ahead of print, editorially selected collections of reviews centered on specific topics, links to recently published relevant articles in other Cell Press journals, and links to past Trends in Microbiology themed review issues and series. Also be on the lookout for our continuing innovative efforts at Cell Press aimed at taking scientific publishing into the future.I look forward to interacting with you as readers, authors and reviewers and to meeting many of you in person at conferences. I welcome feedback, so please do send in your comments, suggestions, and ideas to etj.tim@elsevier.com.