Platelets: The end of an era, start of a new beginning

In 1990, the first edition of a new specialist journal Platelets was published. On 1 January 2015 we will take over as Editors in Chief of Platelets from Professor Stan Heptinstall who remarkably has been in this position since the first edition, which is a very rare feat in the modern era of scientific journals. In his first editorial, Stan described his pioneering vision for the journal “that despite the high level of interest in platelets, there has been no specialist journal devoted to publication on this blood element”. The first issue of Platelets featured an introductory review article entitled “Platelet Physiology: A Personal Perspective” by the leading platelet and megakaryocyte biologist Marjorie Zucker based on nearly 50 years of her own work. If we were to commission a similar article now, then we all agree that the last 25 years have seen even more remarkable advances in our knowledge of platelets and increasing evidence for their important roles in many areas of physiology, especially those extending beyond haemostasis and thrombosis. The vision of Stan to set up the specialist journal Platelets is therefore even more relevant today. Stan’s legacy and hard work is reflected in the current journal statistics: in 2013 the impact factor increased to 2.627, which is the highest achieved since 2009 and the journal is now ranked 118/185 journals in the Cell Biology category and 29/68 in the Haematology category. The citation statistics also indicate that the total number of citations to the journal is increasing year on year with original articles being the most highly cited articles. Online usage is also increasing about 10% each year with 141,340 hits/downloads in 2013. In 2014, 334 new submissions have been received with a monthly average of 30 manuscripts. The overall rejection rate has also risen year on year and currently stands at 73.2% with an average timeline from submission to first decision of 14.8 days. Given this wonderful legacy, we are excited to succeed Stan as editors-in-chief of an established journal that will continue to thrive and grow. We plan to make several changes, many of which we will start implementing in our first year of editorship. We have recently announced an annual front-cover competition where researchers will be invited to send high-resolution colour pictures of platelets or megakaryocytes as like the editor the front cover has also not changed in 25 years. For 2015, the new front cover is a stunning colour image of a platelet thrombus and fibrin deposition on a subendothelial matrix by Harry Heijnen from Utrecht, The Netherlands. Congratulations to Harry who will receive a special framed print of this cover acknowledging his achievement. We plan to hand over the editorship of Platelets after five years and anticipate that future editors-in-chief will remain in post for 5 years. We will increase the number of international associate editors to assist us in the selection of the most important and valid papers for Platelets and to increase the international profile of the journal. We will hold annual editorial meetings at ISTH and SSC meetings. We will commission an increased number of review articles and have an exciting special issue planned for next year on the theme of “platelets and bacteria” reflecting the increasingly recognised role of platelets in innate immunity. We wish to extend our gratitude on behalf of the journal’s readership and all those involved in platelet research to Stan Heptinstall for his excellent work in not only pioneering the new journal but for being a superb editor-in-chief for the last 25 years. With this in mind, we have commissioned a number of Stan’s closest colleagues and friends within the platelet community to write a series of reviews on various topics that are not only dear to Stan’s heart, but will highlight his magnificent contributions both to the field and the journal. This special edition will be published in the summer of 2015.