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The new TIBTECH: from research to application- the science

behind the business

This issue of Trends in Biotechnolog), launches a new look for the journal. From the new logo and section headings, to the altered internal layout, these changes will promote a dearer distinction between the varied approaches articles take towards the growth areas of biotechnology, and further both the benefit and enjoyment you derive from the journal.

But the changes go deeper than just appearance. Without a firm understanding of the scientific basis of current directions of research, implementation of effective development prograr2~s will prove difficult and opportunities for novel applications will be missed. TIBTECH articles will therefore include greater coverage of the science behind the business and provide a clear explanation of the scientific and technical principles involved in new areas of research, in addition to an appraisal of how they may be applied.

To keep pace with the diversification and maturation of the biotechnology industry, it is essential to maintain an awareness of developments occurring within all the disciplines which feed into biotechnology. TIBTECH highlights those advances from numerous research areas, whose adaptation and integration into unrelated areas of R&D can revolutionize the way previously intractable problems may be tackled, or lead to novel applications and directions of research.

While concise, informative R e v i e w s will continue to be the mainstay of the journal, the titles of other sections and the type of article they embrace have changed. Focus articles will provide detailed examination of specific research topics which have emerged recently, written by researchers active in that area, and will identify and highlight areas likely to expand rapidly - such as those which may become tomorrow's PCR! Forum provides the platform for analytical discussion of the development potential of new R&D, and also places findings newly reported at conferences or in the primary research literature in a wider context. Comment on regulatory issues, current progress in a particular area and assessment of its commercial impact and directions of future development are also appropriate in Forum. The young, but already popular, Biotopics column provides the opportunity for a more informal, personal appraisal of research news and issues. The majority of articles in TIBTECH will still be commissioned by the editor, and all are subject to peer-review, ensuring that the high quality and tinleliness of the journal content is upheld. Suggestions for subjects and issues which should be addressed by the journal are, however, always welcome.

The number of pages in TIBTECH has been increased for 1991. While maintaining the scope of our discussion of issues fundamemal to the practice of all biotechnology, this enables us to provide greater upstream coverage of emerging areas such as immunotechnology, gene therapeutics, molecular redesign, transgene expression and control, and plant biotechnology - all areas set to affect the direction ofbiotechnology research and investment over the next decade. Advances in molecular biology have, for example, had an effect upon most research programmes - from protein engineering for improved enzyme specificity and stability, to novel design approaches for therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics, and even to modification of fermenter operation practices for ensuring optimal production and genetic stability of expression systems. The impact which molecular biology has had on the many different component areas of biotechnology is reflected by the new journal logo.

The aims of introducing a new design are therefore twofold. First, to spotlight TIBTECH's position as the journal covering the science behind the business, providing a survey of up-and-coming areas of Biotech R&D; and second, by adopting different layouts for Review and the shorter Focus, Forum and Biotopics articles, we hope to emphasize more dearly the differences between them. We hope you enjoy the new T I B T E C H - in content and style. Suggestions for further improvements and an indication of what you would like to see in the journal would be received with interest.

~) 1991, Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd (UK) 0167- 9430191152.00

Clare Robinson , PhD, Editor Sally Hirst, Assistant Ediwr

TIBTECH JULY 199] (VOL 9)