Molecular Cytogenetics: the first impact factor (2.36).

We are pleased to announce that Molecular Cytogenetics has received its first official Impact Factor of 2.36 in June 2013.

We sincerely thank our distinguished international editorial board for their efforts on behalf of the journal, and our publisher, BioMed Central, for their in-house contribution to the speed and efficiency with which manuscripts are processed. Most important of all, of course, are our authors and reviewers [1], and to them we extend our particular thanks.

Since it was launched in 2008, Molecular Cytogenetics has considered 204 and published 179 articles, giving an acceptance rate of 86%. This exemplifies the journal’s inclusive editorial policy to publish manuscripts that are scientifically sound, and not just based on perceived impact. These articles cover a wide range of topics in molecular cytogenetics, including clinical and tumor cytogenetics, interphase architecture and karyotype evolution studies not only in human but also in other vertebrates. The journal is also open for molecular cytogenetic-based studies in any species, including invertebrates as well as plants. A rapid review process ensures that papers are published in a timely manner [1]. Our average time from submission to the first decision is 20 days, even under our stringent peer review process. As an open access journal, all papers are made immediately and freely available and articles are being accessed more than ever, with around 27,000 accesses per month. Table 1 shows the 10 most highly accessed articles published in Molecular Cytogenetics during the journal’s 5 years of publishing and Table 2 shows some additional highly cited articles. Authors can also access statistics about their article, such as how many times it has been accessed and discussed on social media websites. These statistics can be viewed by selecting ‘Article metrics’ in the right hand column of each article. In addition, all Molecular Cytogenetics articles are mobile-device optimized to facilitate easy reading on phones and tablets.

Table 1

Highly assessed/cited papers published in (information valid for the end of June 2013)

Reference	Title	Authors	Year/volume/number	Accesses	Citations
[2]	On the origin of trisomy 21 Down syndrome	Maj A Hultén, Suketu D Patel, Maira Tankimanova, Magnus Westgren, Nikos Papadogiannakis, Anna Jonsson, Erik Iwarsson	Molecular Cytogenetics 2008, 1:21	15036	56
[3]	Human interphase chromosomes: a review of available molecular cytogenetic technologies	Svetlana G Vorsanova, Yuri B Yurov, Ivan Y Iourov	Molecular Cytogenetics 2010, 3:1	14502	35
[4]	FISH mapping of Philadelphia negative BCR/ABL1 positive CML	Anna Virgili, Diana Brazma, Alistair G Reid, Julie Howard-Reeves, Mikel Valgañón, Anastasios Chanalaris, Valeria AS De Melo, David Marin, Jane F Apperley, Colin Grace, Ellie P Nacheva	Molecular Cytogenetics 2008, 1:14	10908	19
[5]	Selection of single blastocysts for fresh transfer via standard morphology assessment alone and with array CGH for good prognosis IVF patients: results from a randomized pilot study	Zhihong Yang, Jiaen Liu, Gary S Collins, Shala A Salem, Xiaohong Liu, Sarah S Lyle, Alison C Peck, E Sills, Rifaat D Salem	Molecular Cytogenetics 2012, 5:24	9981	33
[6]	Mosaic 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome: diagnosis and clinical manifestations of two cases	Ashutosh Halder, Manish Jain, Madhulika Kabra, Neerja Gupta	Molecular Cytogenetics 2008, 1:18	9728	17
[7]	Fluorescence in situ hybridization in combination with the comet assay and micronucleus test in genetic toxicology	Galina G Hovhannisyan	Molecular Cytogenetics 2010, 3:17	8963	16
[8]	The genome diversity and karyotype evolution of mammals	Alexander S Graphodatsky, Vladimir A Trifonov, Roscoe Stanyon	Molecular Cytogenetics 2011, 4:22	8794	11
[9]	Cytogenetic contribution to uniparental disomy (UPD)	Thomas Liehr	Molecular Cytogenetics 2010, 3:8	8348	28
[10]	The hierarchically organized splitting of chromosomal bands for all human chromosomes	Nadezda Kosyakova, Anja Weise, Kristin Mrasek, Uwe Claussen, Thomas Liehr, Heike Nelle	Molecular Cytogenetics 2009, 2:4	7881	5
[11]	Autistic disorder associated with a paternally derived unbalanced translocation leading to duplication of chromosome 15pter-q13.2: a case report	David J Wu, Nicholas J Wang, Jennette Driscoll, Naghmeh Dorrani, Dahai Liu, Marian Sigman, N Carolyn Schanen	Molecular Cytogenetics 2009, 2:27	7801	6

Table 2

Highly cited papers additional to those highly accessed

Reference	Title	Authors	Year/volume/number	Citations
[12]	Expanding the clinical phenotype of the 3q29 microdeletion syndrome and characterization of the reciprocal microduplication	Blake C Ballif, Aaron Theisen, Justine Coppinger, Gordon C Gowans, Joseph H Hersh, Suneeta Madan-Khetarpal, Karen R Schmidt, Raymond Tervo, Luis F Escobar, Christopher A Friedrich, Marie McDonald, Lindsey Campbell, Jeffrey E Ming, Elaine H Zackai, Bassem A Bejjani, Lisa G Shaffer	Molecular Cytogenetics 2008, 1:8	117
[13]	Chromosomal mosaicism goes global	Ivan Y Iourov, Svetlana G Vorsanova, Yuri B Yurov	Molecular Cytogenetics 2008, 1:26	74
[14]	Microdeletion of 6q16. 1 encompassing EPHA7 in a child with mild neurological abnormalities and dysmorphic features: case report	Traylor RN, Fan Z, Hudson B, Rosenfeld JA, Shaffer LG, Torchia BS, Ballif BC	Molecular Cytogenetics 2009, 2:17	41
[15]	Comparative analysis of copy number detection by whole-genome BAC and oligonucleotide array CGH	Neill NJ, Torchia BS, Bejjani BA, Shaffer LG, Ballif BC	Molecular Cytogenetics 2010, 3:11	40
[16]	Cryptic genomic imbalances in patients with de novo or familial apparently balanced translocations and abnormal phenotype	Sismani C, Kitsiou-Tzeli S, Ioannides M, Christodoulou C, Anastasiadou V, Stylianidou G, Papadopoulou E, Kanavakis E, Kosmaidou-Aravidou Z, Patsalis PC	Molecular Cytogenetics 2008, 1:15	39
[17]	Chromosome distribution in human sperm - a 3D multicolor banding-study	Manvelyan M, Hunstig F, Bhatt S, Mrasek K, Pellestor F, Weise A, Simonyan I, Aroutiounian R, Liehr T	Molecular Cytogenetics 2008, 1:25	34
[18]	GIN'n'CIN hypothesis of brain aging: deciphering the role of somatic genetic instabilities and neural aneuploidy during ontogeny	Yurov YB, Vorsanova SG, Iourov IY	Molecular Cytogenetics 2009, 2:23	29

Recently an obituary of a key person in our field, Prof. Dr. Lore Zech, inventor of banding cytogenetics was published and highly recognized in the community [19]. To reflect the needs of our community, in addition to publishing articles recognizing key contributions from the field of molecular cytogenetics, we are very pleased to launch our new journal blog to promote interaction among researchers. In this blog, we will engage in specific discussions with regards to new directions in the field and newly emerging technologies, as well as feedback from recent meetings/articles and more. The blog can be accessed at [20], and also through the journal homepage.

The field of molecular cytogenetics is now entering an exciting time. Following various large-scale sequencing projects that have revealed a high level of genetic heterogeneity, it is clear that single-cell resolution and cell population dynamics are essential to understanding the mechanisms of many common and complex diseases. Thus molecular cytogenetics has become increasingly important as it provides information on both individual cells and cell populations. We hope our journal Molecular Cytogenetics will promote the popularity of the molecular cytogenetic approach during the post-genomic era.

With the help of its readers and authors we look forward to the continuing growth of Molecular Cytogenetics.