Introducing JMM Profiles for the Journal of Medical Microbiology.

We are very pleased to announce a new article type for the Journal of Medical Microbiology (JMM), the ‘JMM Profile.’ Profiles will be in one of three categories, Pathogen Profile, Antimicrobial Profile, and Diagnostic Profile. These articles aim to provide a brief summary review in each of these areas. The Pathogen Profile will include pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. The Antimicrobial Profile will consist of antivirals, antibiotics, antifungals, vaccines, and antitoxins, and the Diagnostic Profile will comprise diagnostic tests and laboratory techniques.

Never be afraid to borrow good ideas! We took our inspiration from the Microbe Profiles in our sister journal Microbiology [1], but sought to give these our twist which we hope will appeal to our journal’s medical and veterinary microbiology readership. In conversation with the former Editor-in-Chief of Microbiology, Professor Tanya Parish, her top tip for the Profiles was that it is as much about knowing what to leave out as what to include.

Each JMM Profile will provide a concise summary describing key features and finishing with open questions pertinent to the subject matter. The Profiles will be commissioned articles written by microbiologists with experience in the area, and we intend that they will provide a useful resource for education and reference. We plan to start these Profiles with contributions and invitations from our Editorial Board and welcome suggestions for topics from our readership.

We are pleased to launch this venture with a Pathogen Profile on SARS-CoV-2 by Professor Tim Inglis (JMM Section Editor) and Professor Kalai Mathee (JMM co-Editor-in-Chief) [2]. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all, and never has the spotlight been more intensely pointed at medical microbiologists. As part of the COVID-19 response, Professor Inglis has been actively involved as Senior Medical Officer to the military task force contingent in Western Australia. He has also contributed a number of articles and blogs to our journal [3] and Microbiology Society on his experiences with COVID-19 (see https://microbiologysociety.org/blog.html?blog_tag=coronastream).

We hope that these Profiles will provide you with a useful resource and look forward to your feedback.