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Investigative Pathology for the Millennium
Experimental and Molecular Pathology 66, 1–2 (1999) Article ID exmp.1999.2246, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
EDITORIAL Investigative Pathology for the Millennium
Julius M. Cruse
As we bid farewell to the 20th century, in which physicists split the atom and silicon was transformed into computing power, we welcome the new century of biotechnology in a new millennium. Spectacular advances in genetic engineering challenge contemporary researchers to unravel the enigma of neoplasia, promote cardiac neovascularization, block blood vessel growth in tumors, develop new organs from stem cells, and even possibly alter the genetic code that governs cellular aging. With the advent of powerful techniques of molecular biology and genetic engineering, pathology has been propelled into the space age of molecular science. Far advanced from Rokitansky’s [1] examination of gross organs, Virchow’s [2,3] cellular descriptions and even electron microscopic observations, the power strategies of molecular diagnostic testing, in situ hybridization, DNA sequencing, and the polymerase chain reaction represent new vistas in pathology research and practice. Since the revolution wrought through the use of immunocytochemical staining in surgical pathologic diagnosis, the development and application of molecular biology to the analysis of nucleic acids have become critical activities in contemporary pathology departments. To keep abreast of developments in research and practice that are occurring at an unprecedented pace, Experimental and Molecular Pathology represents a concerted effort by our distinguished Board of Editors in conjunction with Academic Press to bring the latest developments to both the academic research community and practicing pathologists. The present journal has a broad scope, emphasizing research at both cellular and molecular levels and giving additional
0014-4800/99 $30.00 Copyright q 1999 by Academic Press All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
special impetus to molecular diagnostics and to immunopathology. Experimental and Molecular Pathology has a distinguished history of publishing original reports at the frontier of biomedical research. Articles have been presented on such fundamental processes as inflammation, infection, immunity, hypersensitivity, atherosclerosis, neoplasia, cellular injury, hemostasis, and thrombosis, among other subjects. In the future the journal will continue to feature original papers but will also publish selected interpretive synthesis reviews by bench level investigators working at the “cutting edge” of contemporary research in pathology. From time to time, theme issues will present original research reports that unravel some of Nature’s most jealously guarded secrets on the pathologic basis of disease. Among the subjects targeted for major emphasis are atherosclerosis, cell receptors, carcinogenesis, pathobiology of neoplasia, flow cytometric analysis, hemostasis and thrombosis, cellular injury, pathogenesis of infection, tumor immunology, immunopathology, transplantation biology, macrophages, and cytokines, among other research topics. Pointing always to the future, Experimental and Molecular Pathology may be distinguished from other publications through its prospective as well as retrospective approach. It will continue to chronicle the metamorphosis of pathology from its establishment as the cellular basis of disease by Virchow [2,3] to a modern science focused at the frontier of basic research in molecular medicine. After all, the study of pathology is, in a real sense, a celebration of life rather than death. The inaugural issue under our stewardship provides a
1
2 balanced presentation of selected research reports at the frontier of molecular pathology, whereas topics already planned for future publication address complex infectious diseases, cytogenetics, atherosclerosis, oncogenes, and flow cytometric analyses in molecular pathology, among a host of others. The present publication is designed to publish papers in the orthodox style of presentation as well as selected interpretive syntheses by acknowledged authorities in contemporary research. It serves as a forum for the publication of scientific advances that are pivotal in altering the course of contemporary research. It provides investigators an opportunity to have a free exchange of ideas, to formulate concepts, and examine theoretical dogma in the light of new information gleaned from current research. It is the goal of the Board of Editors and Academic Press to provide a dynamic presentation of premier molecular pathology research in a vehicle that both researchers and practitioners will find indispensable. Investigators engaged in meritorious basic research in the fields cited above as well as in other areas of molecular medicine are invited to submit papers. Organizers of symposia or meetings on contemporary subjects of major research emphasis are urged to consult with the Editor-in-chief for possible publication
EDITORIAL
of selected articles as a theme issue of the journal. All manuscripts submitted to the Board of Editors are subjected to peer review. Whereas assimilation of the complexities of molecular biology into the fabric of cellular pathology represents a formidable task, the Board of Editors and the Publisher welcome the challenge, confident in the critical significance of Experimental and Molecular Pathology for molecular medicine of the future. We hope to assimilate the wisdom of the past, the knowledge of the present, and the research of the future in uncovering Nature’s jealously guarded secrets about disease processes.
REFERENCES 1. von Rokitansky, C. F. (1842–1846). “Handbuch der pathologischen Anatomie.’’ Braumuller and Seidel, Vienna. 2. Virchow, R. (1858). “Die Cellularpathologie in ihrer Begrundung auf physiologische and pathologische Gewebelehre.” Hirchwald, Berlin. 3. Florey, H. W. (1970). The history and scope of pathology. In “General Pathology” (H. W. Florey, Ed.), pp. 1–21. Saunders, Philadelphia.
EDITORIAL Investigative Pathology for the Millennium
Julius M. Cruse
As we bid farewell to the 20th century, in which physicists split the atom and silicon was transformed into computing power, we welcome the new century of biotechnology in a new millennium. Spectacular advances in genetic engineering challenge contemporary researchers to unravel the enigma of neoplasia, promote cardiac neovascularization, block blood vessel growth in tumors, develop new organs from stem cells, and even possibly alter the genetic code that governs cellular aging. With the advent of powerful techniques of molecular biology and genetic engineering, pathology has been propelled into the space age of molecular science. Far advanced from Rokitansky’s [1] examination of gross organs, Virchow’s [2,3] cellular descriptions and even electron microscopic observations, the power strategies of molecular diagnostic testing, in situ hybridization, DNA sequencing, and the polymerase chain reaction represent new vistas in pathology research and practice. Since the revolution wrought through the use of immunocytochemical staining in surgical pathologic diagnosis, the development and application of molecular biology to the analysis of nucleic acids have become critical activities in contemporary pathology departments. To keep abreast of developments in research and practice that are occurring at an unprecedented pace, Experimental and Molecular Pathology represents a concerted effort by our distinguished Board of Editors in conjunction with Academic Press to bring the latest developments to both the academic research community and practicing pathologists. The present journal has a broad scope, emphasizing research at both cellular and molecular levels and giving additional
0014-4800/99 $30.00 Copyright q 1999 by Academic Press All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
special impetus to molecular diagnostics and to immunopathology. Experimental and Molecular Pathology has a distinguished history of publishing original reports at the frontier of biomedical research. Articles have been presented on such fundamental processes as inflammation, infection, immunity, hypersensitivity, atherosclerosis, neoplasia, cellular injury, hemostasis, and thrombosis, among other subjects. In the future the journal will continue to feature original papers but will also publish selected interpretive synthesis reviews by bench level investigators working at the “cutting edge” of contemporary research in pathology. From time to time, theme issues will present original research reports that unravel some of Nature’s most jealously guarded secrets on the pathologic basis of disease. Among the subjects targeted for major emphasis are atherosclerosis, cell receptors, carcinogenesis, pathobiology of neoplasia, flow cytometric analysis, hemostasis and thrombosis, cellular injury, pathogenesis of infection, tumor immunology, immunopathology, transplantation biology, macrophages, and cytokines, among other research topics. Pointing always to the future, Experimental and Molecular Pathology may be distinguished from other publications through its prospective as well as retrospective approach. It will continue to chronicle the metamorphosis of pathology from its establishment as the cellular basis of disease by Virchow [2,3] to a modern science focused at the frontier of basic research in molecular medicine. After all, the study of pathology is, in a real sense, a celebration of life rather than death. The inaugural issue under our stewardship provides a
1
2 balanced presentation of selected research reports at the frontier of molecular pathology, whereas topics already planned for future publication address complex infectious diseases, cytogenetics, atherosclerosis, oncogenes, and flow cytometric analyses in molecular pathology, among a host of others. The present publication is designed to publish papers in the orthodox style of presentation as well as selected interpretive syntheses by acknowledged authorities in contemporary research. It serves as a forum for the publication of scientific advances that are pivotal in altering the course of contemporary research. It provides investigators an opportunity to have a free exchange of ideas, to formulate concepts, and examine theoretical dogma in the light of new information gleaned from current research. It is the goal of the Board of Editors and Academic Press to provide a dynamic presentation of premier molecular pathology research in a vehicle that both researchers and practitioners will find indispensable. Investigators engaged in meritorious basic research in the fields cited above as well as in other areas of molecular medicine are invited to submit papers. Organizers of symposia or meetings on contemporary subjects of major research emphasis are urged to consult with the Editor-in-chief for possible publication
EDITORIAL
of selected articles as a theme issue of the journal. All manuscripts submitted to the Board of Editors are subjected to peer review. Whereas assimilation of the complexities of molecular biology into the fabric of cellular pathology represents a formidable task, the Board of Editors and the Publisher welcome the challenge, confident in the critical significance of Experimental and Molecular Pathology for molecular medicine of the future. We hope to assimilate the wisdom of the past, the knowledge of the present, and the research of the future in uncovering Nature’s jealously guarded secrets about disease processes.
REFERENCES 1. von Rokitansky, C. F. (1842–1846). “Handbuch der pathologischen Anatomie.’’ Braumuller and Seidel, Vienna. 2. Virchow, R. (1858). “Die Cellularpathologie in ihrer Begrundung auf physiologische and pathologische Gewebelehre.” Hirchwald, Berlin. 3. Florey, H. W. (1970). The history and scope of pathology. In “General Pathology” (H. W. Florey, Ed.), pp. 1–21. Saunders, Philadelphia.