Microchimica Acta (MCA), founded back in 1927 by Nobel laureate Fritz Pregl, has a long tradition in terms of (mainly analytical) microand nanosciences. Its particular focus is on the use of advanced methods and materials in (bio)analytical chemistry, in molecular recognition and in nano-structured systems. The recent policy of MCA is even more focused and this – along with other factors – has resulted in an increase of the impact factor from 0.7 in 2004 to 2.6 in 2010, with a significant trend upwards at present. With its specific objectives and scope, MCA covers an area that is of highest significance to microand nanotechnology, areas that are considered to be essential to hightechnology by the year 2011. In fact, it is generally accepted that nanotechnology in future will have a particularly strong impact on chemistry, material sciences and to science and medicine in general. This is underpinned by the number and quality of the publications in the area of nanoscience that have appeared in the past decade. Obviously, nanochemistry will significantly contribute to the well-being of the mankind in general. Chemistry is a most creative kind of science. Its achievements cannot be over-estimated, and it is prepared to cope with the needs of present day society by providing solutions to challenges such as in diagnosis, environmental research, chemical and bio-sensing, quality control, sustainable methods of production, space/air/marine research, molecular biology, the design of new organic and inorganic materials, in bioanalytical sciences and water technology, in energy storage and the search for new drugs, and –more recently – in ways to generate energy, in understanding the reasons for a changing climate, in new (bio)analytical schemes, and various others. Scientific publishing constitutes a major part of progress in science and technology. Good journals usually convey good science and usually have good impact factors. The recent substantial increase in the impact factor of MCA, its focus on microand nanochemistry, and its rapid publication times are placing MCA in a very favorable position. In concluding, I am convinced that reading articles in Microchimica Acta will be a pleasure also in the future and that its contributions will further stimulate scientific research, thus making most valuable contributions in the International Year of Chemistry. Prospective authors are invited to submit their best work to Microchimica Acta also in 2011.