As the first decade of the new millennium comes to a close, we are struck by the changes that have occurred in scientific publishing, not least at Journal of Cell Science (for example, see http://jcs.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/113/1/1). We are always discussing ways to enhance the reader's experience at JCS, and 2009 saw a number of changes that are the result of those discussions.
In January we published our Integrin Special Issue (http://jcs.biologists.org/content/vol122/issue2/), which featured seven Commentaries, a Cell Science at a Glance poster article and a number of Research Articles. This issue was a great success, and was followed by the introduction of the `Minifocus' section, in which the front-section articles of an issue are based around a common theme. Our themes over the past year have included The ESCRT Machinery (http://jcs.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/122/13/e1301), Invadopodia and Podosomes (http://jcs.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/122/17/e1701) and Collective Cell Migration (http://jcs.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/122/18/e1801). These Minifocuses have been very well received, and you can look forward to more of them on a variety of topics in the upcoming year.
One of the journal's most popular features is our Cell Science at a Glance poster articles. These are large posters accompanied by short explanatory articles, which act as primers in a specific area of cell biology. In 2009, we not only published more of these articles than in any previous year, but we also made high-resolution versions of the posters available online for downloading – including our most popular posters from previous years. We are currently working on making Cell Science at a Glance content available in a format that is suitable for incorporating directly into lecture presentations, which we think will be very useful for the community.
We were also excited to introduce two new characters to our Sticky Wicket stable, Molette and X-Gal, who each provide a young, female perspective on life as a cell biologist, as a counterpoint to our wonderful Mole. Incidentally, we have a new collection of Mole essays hot off the presses, entitled `The Descent of Mole' – if you didn't manage to pick up your copy at the ASCB meeting in December, rest assured that you will find them available at several meetings this year.
Congratulations are due to our Editorial Board member Martin Schwartz, whose Essay on “The importance of stupidity in scientific research” (http://jcs.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/121/11/1771) continues to be our most widely read article since it was published in June 2008. This article, which argues that great discoveries in scientific research come from seeking out and embracing stupidity, has been widely disseminated, possibly because the concept applies to many disciplines and facets of life, and so is certainly worth a read.
We have big plans for JCS in 2010, and indeed, for the next decade and beyond, starting with a new website in the next few months. This is an exciting time to be involved in cell biology, and we intend to mirror that excitement at JCS with cutting-edge features, functionality and comment, and of course, by continuing to publish excellent research. Please contact us with your ideas for additional ways in which we can serve the cell-biology community.
