Reflections from BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology

Pic2 BMC for Pharm and ToxBMC Pharmacology and Toxicology is now two years old and we have come a long way since the merger of the journal’s predecessors BMC Clinical Pharmacology and BMC Pharmacology in August 2012 and as Executive Editor for the journal, I’m very pleased to see the progress we have made.

Since becoming part of the BMC series we have continued to uphold our principles of taking an open, inclusive and forward thinking approach to the dissemination of translational research in these fields. We are particularly delighted that we are being tracked for our first impact factor due in 2015.

The introduction of Toxicology content to the BMC series was an important addition to the journal and the series as a whole. This highly-cited review by Sidoryk-Wegrzynowicz and Aschner on the role of astrocytes in manganese-mediated neurotoxicity is a great example of the exciting work happening in this field, as was this research article on the impact of heavy metals on the mouse microbiome.

More than other areas of research, toxicology is interdisciplinary. While solid foundations in chemistry and biochemistry, biology, genetics, pathology and pharmacology are essential, they need to be integrated by knowledge and expertise in diverse areas such as exposure assessment, epidemiology, and public health. The ultimate goal is that of protecting the public from the adverse effects of chemicals, by applying sound scientific methods, and avoiding irrational and unjustified fears.”

Professors Lucio G. Costa and Michael Aschner, Section Editors for Toxicology.

As with many special occasions, this is an opportune moment to reflect on what has been happening in the journal and highlight the strides that we have taken since its inception and induction into the BMC series family. Firstly, we would like to thank all of those who have contributed to the continued success of the journal including our authors, editorial board members and reviewers. Our editorial board has developed and grown in pace with our increasing numbers of submissions and publications which has in turn expanded our expertise and knowledge base. We are fast approaching our fiftieth publication of this calendar year and look set to surpass last year’s total of 62 publications.

Over the last two years, the journal has published many highly accessed articles on a wide range of topics. Our most accessed articles feature a fascinating range of different topics, from a recent publication on the effects of melatonin on the endogenous pain modulating system in fibromyalgia, to a notable review of the economic benefits of the use of generic medicines, as well as the assessment of a promising new pharmacological tool in metabolic syndrome.

PHAT logoPublications in the journal have spanned all the various article types that BioMed Central considers and have certainly not been limited to research articles alone. Noteworthy articles have included debates such as an interesting perspective on translation toxicology and study protocols including a publication from Campbell et al. describing the Pain and Opioids In Treatment (POINT) study. We have published case reports including an article from Martins et al. reporting rifampicin-warfarin interaction leading to macroscopic hematuria and also database articles such as the comprehensive Chorismate Synthase Database (CSDB).

We are enormously grateful to our Section Editors for sharing their insights into their respective fields and in particular their aspirations for the journal in our series of question and answer style interviews, of which we’ll be publishing more in the coming months. BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology has also published a number of supplements and will continue to offer this valuable means of sharing selected collections of research articles, conference proceedings, reviews and reports, which are free to access online.

A key consideration during the conception of the journal was whether to pursue an open or closed peer review model given the cross-disciplinary nature of the new title, and our Editorial Board Members kindly shared their thoughts with us in an editorial.  We welcome your comments on our findings and encourage you to share your thoughts on the peer review process.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our two years in the BMC series and collaborations old and new. The finest gift of all this year is knowing that with the support of our collaborators and the positive steps we have taken so far, we can be assured that the future is substantially brighter that any two candles on a celebratory cake.Birthday cake

 

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