Tides of change

Abstract

Over the past 15 years, plant science has emerged from the era of sliced potatoes and peeled onions to become a more exciting, intellectually challenging and rapidly developing subject. The application of molecular genetic techniques to study plant processes has created a new link between cell biology and signal transduction. This development makes it impossible to treat research of organelles or cellular structures as isolated subjects when the examples for a single transduction pathway involving multiple organelles or cellular structures are accumulating. Trends in Plant Science will focus on this flourishing field by publishing a series of articles on signal transduction in 2001. As technology becomes more and more advanced and the volume of information continues to grow exponentially, it is even more important that the scientific community can rely on clear accounts and interpretations that are accessible not only to the expert in the field but also to non-specialist readers and students. Trends in Plant Science aims to fulfil these demands, and as we approach the sixth anniversary we can look back on a more than happy ‘childhood’ which is reflected by the current ISI score of 9.4, which makes it one of the leading journals in the field. To keep pace with recent technical advances (e.g. introduction of on-line access to journals) and to ensure that the journal will continue to be a thriving forum for the plant science community, several innovations have been introduced for 2001. All Trends journals have undergone a redesign, introducing a new layout for clearer navigation through the separate sections of the journal. The full-length review will remain a central feature, together with short, opinionated articles keeping the readers updated on exciting new research results and novel technologies. In addition, Trends in Plant Science will expand the ‘Headlines’ section to feature aspects of the latest news on technology, policy, education or people who greatly influenced science. Starting with the January issue, the content of this section, now titled ‘In Brief’ will be managed by two enthusiastic and already experienced contributors to the journal, Nigel Chaffey and Trevor Stokes. At the forefront of on-line technology, BioMedNet, which hosts the on-line version of the journal, provides a ‘Commentary’ section of outstanding papers across the life sciences. Commentaries are updated daily and feature comprehensive summaries of noteworthy publications in plant science on a regular basis. Also, look out for the ‘live’ coverage of major conferences provided by a team of BioMedNet news reporters who publish accounts of the hottest new developments on the web during the meeting. I cannot think of a more fortunate or exciting time to take on the responsibility of being Editor of Trends in Plant Science and I am immensely grateful to all those who helped the journal to succeed and gain a favourite place on the reading list of many plant scientists. My thanks go to the authors, referees and the editorial board members, who have shown tremendous enthusiasm and commitment in building up the journal over the past five years together with the previous Editor, Hugh Blackbourn, whose great efforts have guaranteed the high standard of the articles. As might be expected, behind every successful editor stands a successful team. Fortunately for me, the present experienced and dedicated team of Caroline Woods (the Assistant Editor) and Jane Thomson (the Editorial Administrator) will remain at the nerve centre of Trends in Plant Science. Together we will continue to spark a rich and diverse dialogue in the scientific community and ensure that Trends in Plant Science remains a useful tool in the education of the next generation of scientists. I wish you all a successful and happy start to the year 2001 and I look forward to meeting more of the plant community in person at upcoming conferences. We welcome comments from our readers on any aspects of the journal and BioMedNet, please write in with your views and address them to the Editor or e-mail [email protected]