Over the past year there has been little to celebrate in liposome research. Nonetheless, those of us who know the field, remain bullish that liposome-based discoveries will once again find popular favor when—not if—the next liposomal technology is approved. In times like these, it is easier than ever for liposome science to be shunted to the fringes of conferences, the back pages of journals, and the margins of discussion. In these times, more than ever, there is a need for an organization that represents, supports, and advocates on behalf of liposome researchers around the world. Such an organization could, with a critical mass of membership, buttress the field, and the individual researchers and laboratories of which it is comprised, by providing an environment, if not some of the critical infrastructure, that nurtures the field to maturity. While there are some fundamental questions which have yet to be determined, what we need now is a forum dedicated to technology, platforms, discoveries, and the potential for effective new therapies.
Last year, the infrastructure of the International Liposome Society was created, a membership base was developed, this journal was transferred to a more dedicated publisher, and some of the pillars of a vibrant forum dedicated to liposome research were created, including a newsletter, a website, coordinated support for conference activities. One of the critical decisions currently being considered centers around conferences. Liposome research is often presented either as a small part of much larger meetings or in small, fragmented meetings held throughout the year in various countries. While the ILS will attempt to support all of the important meetings in the field, I believe it is important for the ILS to establish an annual conference that is seen to be the event of the year for all those working and interested in liposome science. I want to encourage those reading this editorial to support this effort by planning to participate in this conference. We will continue to discuss this issue over the coming months, and the ILS Board invites your feedback.
The key to success is to ensure the ILS represents you. You each must join (a membership application is appended at the end of this issue). List your laboratory on the website. Contribute to this journal and the newsletter. Plan to attend December's Liposome Advances meeting. Provide your feedback, your criticism, and, most importantly, your participation.
This issue of the journal represents another first. In the frontmatter of this issue we announce the restructuring of the Editors and Editorial Board. First, let me thank all those who have served this journal over the years. Second, let me thank those who have agreed to serve the journal in the upcoming term. I am pleased we have obtained the commitment from a newly energized Editorial Board to review papers actively, submit original work, and prepare seminal reviews of critical areas in the field for publication and reference by young and old researchers alike. Finally, I am particularly excited to welcome three new Associate Editors representing three continents: Dr. Ijeoma Uchegbu (from Europe), Dr. Sadao Hirota (from Asia), and Dr. Volkmar Weissig (from North America). They have committed to assisting me and the journal's editorial staff (at Taylor & Francis and Malachite Management) in an effort to expedite the peer-review process to ensure a significant reduction in the time between the submission and publication of papers.
Please note the revised Instructions to Authors in this issue. We encourage authors to submit papers directly to the Associate Editor in their continent. For others, or as an alternative, papers can always be sent to the ILS Head Office. We have revised our tracking and review processes accordingly, and the handling of papers will be more efficient.
While things never move as quickly as we like (or as we planned), I am excited by the progress made for ILS and this journal in the past 12 months and look forward to these efforts beginning, even in small ways, to make an impact in the coming months.
Andrew S. Janoff
Editor-in-Chief