Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBoC) was conceived nearly 20 years ago as a journal that would be run by and for cell biologists under the auspices of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB). The goal was to provide the cell biology community with a journal that would enhance scientific communication among cell biologists by providing authors with rapid, rigorous, constructive, and fair peer review, as well as editorial decisions that were not constrained by journal space or perceived trends. Over the years, MBoC has come to epitomize these values and in so doing has become a pillar of the cell biology community. Today, the values remain the same, but as MBoC heads into its twentieth year we are happy to highlight what we are doing to be more essential and relevant than ever.
ASCB ANNUAL MEETING ISSUE AND COVERAGE
This issue is MBoC's third annual special issue focused on the ASCB Annual Meeting. It includes a collection of fascinating essays by the recipients of the E. B. Wilson Medal, the Keith Porter Award, the Women in Cell Biology Awards, the E. E. Just Award, and the Early Career Life Scientist Award. Together with invited Perspective and Retrospective essays by other prominent cell biologists, these articles provide insight into research careers, education, mentoring, diversity, science advocacy, and how key discoveries were made.In addition, for the second year in a row, we have invited chairs of the ASCB Annual Meeting Minisymposia to write reviews of their sessions. These will be published early in 2012.
A REVAMPED WEBSITE
In August, MBoC launched a new and improved website (www.molbiolcell.org). In addition to a more contemporary look, better and more flexible use of screen real estate, and enhanced functionality, the new website includes links to sites with information about careers, education, ASCB events, and cell biology resources. Other new features and functionality will be added in the coming months.
A NEW DESIGN
Early this year MBoC rolled out a new design for the “print” (PDF) versions of articles and for the journal's cover and front matter. We've received positive feedback; users have commented that the new look makes articles more inviting and easier to read.
EXPECTATIONS FOR RIGOROUS AND CONSTRUCTIVE PEER REVIEW
MBoC published an Editorial (Drubin, 2011) about the peer review process, which included a set of guidelines for how editors and reviewers can ensure that papers submitted to MBoC receive a rigorous, constructive, and fair review. This editorial received an extraordinary response from the community. It is clear that many scientists are frustrated with the current state of peer review and that MBoC can be an important part of the solution.
FEATURE ARTICLES
In 2010 MBoC started publishing Features articles on topics of interest to the cell biology community. These have focused on a broad range of topics, including how to carry out quantitative binding assays, the role of National Institutes of Health Program Directors, meeting reviews, how to support innovation and translational research, and the transformational role of deep sequencing techniques in Caenorhabditis elegans genetics. The Features articles provide the cell biology community with a forum for communicating new ideas about topics such as research, mentoring, careers, and cell biology techniques.
A VENUE FOR PAPERS WITH A THEORETICAL COMPONENT
MBoC recognizes that theoretical approaches will increasingly be necessary to unlock some of the most interesting and challenging mysteries in cell biology. To encourage and support publication of articles with a theoretical component, MBoC published an Editorial from a group of experts that outlined guidelines for preparing theoretical papers (Mogilner ). In addition, MBoC published a Features article that provided advice on when a project will benefit from theoretical approaches (Fletcher, 2011).With these improvements, we anticipate that MBoC will do even better at serving the ASCB community. As always, we welcome suggestions for further improvements, as well as suggestions for new Features articles. This is your journal, so let us know how MBoC can best serve your needs!