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Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 1:1-2, 2002.
© 2002 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
THE GLEAM IN THE EYE
Substantial groundwork was laid for a number of years for establishing a new journal. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Editorial Board of the Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC) would occasionally discuss the possibility of creating a new journal or even splitting the JBC into two or more components. However, these concepts were not widely endorsed at that time. From 1995 to 1998, the Publications Committee of the ASBMB under the leadership of Paul Modrich repeatedly discussed the possibility of establishing a new journal. During the spring of 1998, I introduced a motion that, "it shall be the policy of the ASBMB to initiate new journals." Somewhat to my surprise, the motion passed unanimously. This set a rather different tone among the leaders of our Society.
INCUBATION PERIOD
From 1998 to 2000, numerous informal discussions took place among the officers and the Council of our Society. Then President, Richard Hanson (Case Western Reserve University), and I, along with Dale Edmondson (Emory University) and Charles Hancock (CEO of the Society), had many discussions concerning the initiation of a new journal. Questions such as subject area, possible editors, and format were important. Clearly, we did not want to establish a journal that is competitive with the Journal of Biological Chemistry, which is our premier journal. In addition, the question of on-line format only versus on-line and print versions was also important.
Two retreats of the ASBMB leadership were held at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, VA in May and in October of 2000. These concepts were further matured, and it was decided to ask Ralph Bradshaw (University of California-Irvine) to serve as Editor of this new enterprise in the area of proteomics. Also, Al Burlingame (University of California-San Francisco) attended the second retreat, because he and Marilyn Schwartz (University of California-San Francisco) had run a series of meetings on mass spectrometry in San Francisco. It was decided that Ralph and Al would serve as Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor, respectively, and the subject area would be molecular and cellular proteomics. The August, 2001 meeting in San Francisco organized by Al, Marilyn, and John Stults (Genentech Inc.) was an important development in the incubation phase, because a large number of individuals interested in proteomics were in attendance.
THE BIRTHING OF MCP
This inaugural issue of MCP represents a major accomplishment for a large number of people. We have every expectation that the journal will grow consistently into a healthy and vigorous component of our scientific literature.
MCP may be the largest project ever undertaken in the 95-year history of the ASBMB. The Society has made a major contribution in terms of financial support and by the administrative participation and involvement of a large number of people. We anticipate that MCP will not be "just another journal" but instead will fill an important void in our developing biological sciences. MCP will publish different types of papers than those found in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, because the papers will be more methodological in nature and will, of necessity, include substantial data bases.
Drs. Bradshaw and Burlingame are congratulated on the establishment of a wonderful Board of Associate Editors, as well as the Editorial Board. These individuals will have difficult tasks ahead of them, but their confidence in the profound contributions of this journal will make worthwhile their diligent efforts. Also, the establishment of the policies and procedures for the review of manuscripts, as well as the identification of the categories for the contributions, have been major undertakings. The cooperative and positive working spirit of all individuals involved have made this an enjoyable experience.
Starting a new endeavor is always a risky business. I know this from my own experiences, the advancement of non-orthodox research concepts, serving as the Founding Director of the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, the initiation of a new biotechnology company, and other administrative endeavors. Machiavelli (1513 AD) stated, "It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage, than the creation of a new system. For the initiator has enmity of all who would profit by preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who would gain by the new ones." However, it is exceedingly rewarding when these innovative enterprises are successful.
APPRECIATION
A large number of individuals deserve appreciation for MCP. First, Ralph Bradshaw and Al Burlingame are thanked for their critical contributions. Other important contributors are as follows: Richard Hanson (past President of ASBMB) for his leadership, Dale Edmondson (previous Chairman of Publications Committee) for his organizational skills and diligent efforts, Charles Hancock (CEO of the ASBMB) and Barbara Gordon (Director of Publications for the Society) for their managerial and technical contributions, Kenneth Neet (Treasurer of ASBMB) for determining the financial feasibility of this endeavor and for his continued support, and Herbert Tabor (Editor of JBC) for his support of the concept of MCP. The latter contribution was critical, because Dr. Tabor is perhaps the most prestigious and accomplished editor of a journal in the biological sciences. In addition, I wish to convey my appreciation to the Associate Editors of the Journal of Biological Chemistry for their support of this new endeavor. Clearly, the JBC has been, and will continue to be, the premier journal of our Society. We hope that MCP will complement the JBC in a synergistic manner.
In summary, I congratulate the leadership of MCP and look forward to many years of exciting scientific publications.
President, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2000–2002)
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