Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine (SBiRM) 2020 carries forward the advances observed in 2019 as we continue to witness the acceleration in our discipline. SBiRM has a rising impact factor that parallels the marked increase in the number of papers submitted and the number of papers downloaded. The journal continues to champion a bench to bedside personalized precision medicine philosophy. It provides a well-balanced combination of the male and female reproductive medicine and sciences reflective of the contribution of each partner/couple to the birth of a healthy child. We emphasize systems-based research promoting the natural synergy that has emerged in both the clinical and agricultural realms. The addition of animal studies and other model systems continue to offer insights into what would be considered intractable questions when addressed in the human system. The newest article type, Clinical: Molecular Diagnostics that Editorial Board member Dr. T. Kunej oversees, with a focus on the latest molecular probe technologies and studies continues to expand.
The evolution of our Editorial Board reflects the breadth of subjects represented in our journal. As we thank Dr. A.S. Cupp and Dr. R. Hauser for their contributions to the journal and serving on the Editorial Board, and wish them both the best of success in their new endeavors, we welcome our new Editorial Board members. Their appointment brings new expertise and a unique perspective to the journal. The new members are Dr. A.B. Alvero, Wayne State University, Michigan, USA, Dr. L. Mínguez-Alarcón, Harvard University, Massachusetts, USA, Dr. M. Simopoulou, University of Athens, Athens, Greece, and Dr. J.C. Trussell, Upstate Medical University, New York, USA.
Dr. Alvero is well known for her work on the mechanisms of ovarian cancer metastasis. She is leading the development of new strategies and approaches directed toward its remediation and cure. Dr. Mínguez-Alarcón’s work is focused on various aspects of developmental reproductive toxicology of a host of compounds and their impact on the early stages of human development and pregnancy outcome. Dr. Simopoulou continues to examine and review the advances in in vitro fertilization technologies – applications and their practice. This is timely as the rapid pace of technology changes what was not possible to what is now possible and is sure to spawn controversy for which the bioethics of human reproduction must be considered. Dr. Trussell, a well-known and respected urologist, who has been involved in multiple national clinical trials that span from basic surgical solutions to molecular analysis within the framework of the couple, completes the group of new members to our Editorial Board team.
The first issue of our 12th year includes papers that once again emphasize the scope of the journal. This year’s cover figure was from the work of Mabel Schulz, Fabiola Zambrano, Hans-Christian Schuppe, Florian Wagenlehner, Anja Taubert, Ulrich Gaertner, Rául Sánchez, and Carlos Hermosilla (2019) ‘Monocyte-derived extracellular trap (MET) formation induces aggregation and affects motility of human spermatozoa in vitro’ Syst Biol Reprod Med 65(5) 357–366.
To access the list of the latest articles published online visit Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine at http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/iaan20/current. I encourage you to examine the journal’s Editor’s Choice section that began in 2016 that is updated continually with select newly highlighted papers as they become available. The Editor’s Choice Highlighted Articles link is located under Journal news at the address above. The last section of this first issue of 2020 includes the highlights from Volume 65 (2019).
Our Associate Editor, Dr. P. Sutovsky, co-author of ‘H3K4me2 accompanies chromatin immaturity in human spermatozoa: an epigenetic marker for sperm quality assessment’ by M. Stiavnicka, et al., contributed the opening paper for this issue, followed by Editorial Board member Dr. G.A. Perry et al.’s paper, titled ‘Role of preovulatory concentrations of estradiol on timing of conception and regulation of the uterine environment in beef cattle.’ The two highlighted papers follow. ‘Morphometric analysis of sperm used for IVP by three different separation methods with spatial light interference microscopy’ by M. Rubessa, M. Kandel, S. Schreiber, S. Meyers, D. Beck, G. Popescun, and M. Wheeler looks into new technolgy that when further developed may permit an effective means to select optimal sperm. The second highlighted paper titled ‘Comparative proteomics reveals protective effect of resveratrol on a high-fat diet-induced damage to mice testis’ by Z-M. Lv, M-Y. Lin, and C. Chen, begins to uncover proteomic mechanisms that may reduce the effects of a high fat diet on testes.
We anticipate another year of discovery in human, animal, and agricultural studies as Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine continues to promote a systems approach as a cornerstone to development and advances of Personalized and Precision Reproductive Medicine. Thank you for your ongoing support of the journal as we look forward to another successful year.
Yours truly,