I would like to share my excitement and optimism as the new Editor-in-Chief of Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine (Nanomedicine: NBM). Created four years ago, this international, peer-reviewed journal follows the latest advances in the field of nanomedicine. The science of nanomedicine exploits and builds upon novel research findings in nanotechnology, biology, and medicine; it unifies the efforts of scientists, engineers, and physicians determined to apply their latest research results to translational and clinical medicine by developing novel approaches and a better understanding of solutions to health-related issues, ultimately improving the quality of life.
Since the first National Nanotechnology Initiative, the field of nanotechnology has seen a rapid expansion both within the US, and outside of its borders. We have just started to witness the application of this cutting edge technology in medicine.
The last few years have seen unprecedented advances in the field of biology. The decoding of the human genome coupled with improving gene transfection technologies offer great opportunities for treating illnesses. In analysis and diagnosis, lab-on-a-chip methods have surpassed earlier ex-vivo and in-vivo detection methods while also aiding toxicology efforts. In medicine, improvements in targeted drug delivery, imaging, and therapy have led to such successful interventions in cancer therapies so that cancer is no longer the number one cause of mortality in the US. Meanwhile, alliances between nanoscience and engineering have led to further technology developments. Simultaneously, legal and regulatory efforts have increased, along with an increasingly world-wide drive for standardization.
Nanomedicine is maturing. However, from a financial point of view, success depends on whether or not nanotechnology is helping the public. In reality, at the clinical level, the practitioner does not have to know that it is nanotechnology at work – only that their new procedure works faster, cheaper, and better.
Our journal has also matured over the last four years thanks to the diligent work of the Editors, Associate Editors, and publisher. It is now indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE, BIOSIS, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Journal Citation Reports® published by Thomson Scientific. Our web-based format allows us to publish much faster than before, with articles appearing in PubMed shortly after acceptance. We intend to put more emphasis on “Perspectives,” a new feature that addresses emerging trends in the field of interests comprising nanomedicine.
I plan to showcase more upcoming and recent meetings, and information regarding research funding on our web site (http://www.nanomedjournal.com), as well as bring commercial, legal, and regulatory information to our readers’ attention. Nanomedicine: NBM wants to provide a forum for research sites, laboratories, centers, and expert individuals around the world to share their results, discoveries, and views in this exciting new field, together connecting chemistry, materials science, biology, engineering, and translational and clinical medicine.
We at Nanomedicine: NBM believe that these new technologies will have a profound impact on future medical practice. However, we strive to promote the view that nanomedicine as a solution is neither better nor worse – it is DIFFERENT. A journal is naught without your contributions. As Editor-in-Chief, I invite you to submit your original nanomedicine related research papers on basic, translational, and clinical studies; perspectives on trends in the field; reports on new techniques; review articles; comments via letters to the editor; and expert opinions to further advance our field. I look forward to successful and productive years to come.
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