I have been associated with Connective Tissue Research as a member of the Editorial Board since the very first issue in 1972. In the inaugural issue Inez Mandl, the Editor-in-Chief, wrote “You are looking at the first issue of a new journal devoted to your specialty. We have great hopes for this journal. It was conceived to solve two big problems - the almost impossible task of keeping up with the increasing literature proliferation and the dilemma as to where to publish in order to best reach the audience of our peers. If some of you feel another new journal is not the right approach to remedy this situation, I hope that, eventually we can win you over. Whether we succeed or not depends on you. Your editors will do their best to keep the standards high, but we can select only from what you offer and in order for this journal to fulfill its mission, we need your contributions.” I assumed the position of Editor-in-Chief in 1985, beginning with Volume 14 when Dr. Mandl retired after 14 years of dedicated service. I hoped to retain the wide scope of the journal so that it continued to reach out to all interested in connective tissue biology. We tried to emphasize papers basic in character, whether in biochemistry, molecular biology or biomechanics. We included and welcomed basic studies related to clinical observations (now that would all be called translational research), but declined to publish clinical case reports. With the help of the Editorial Board and Associate Editors we have tried to apply a high level of stringency in review and acceptance decisions, but with attention to fairness via bias-free reviews. I hope that both readers and contributors feel that we have kept to those aims. I appreciate the fact that you have continued to contribute your manuscripts to the journal so that we have been able to increase the number of issues, and publish more pages per year. Nevertheless I want to reiterate Inez Mandl's statement that the journal “can only select from what (manuscripts) you offer”. I hope that you continue sending your best work for publication in Connective Tissue Research.
Now, with Volume 52, Issue 6 of 2011 it is my turn (and probably long past time) to retire as Editor-in-Chief and turn over the Editorial Office to new leadership. I am pleased to announce that Gary Balian, PhD, Mary Muilenburg Stamp Professor of Orthopaedic Research and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at University of Virginia School of Medicine, has accepted appointment as Editor-in-Chief and responsibility for the operation of the Editorial Office, beginning with Volume 53. From many conversations with Dr. Balian, I am certain that he has fresh plans that will invigorate the journal. Just as I reconfigured the Editorial Board when I took over, I am sure that there will also be changes in the Board membership and scope within the next several months.
It has been an honor and a very broadening experience to have served as Editor-in-Chief of Connective Tissue Research. My thanks go to everyone with whom I have engaged as Associate Editors and Reviewers for their help and collaborations, and especially to our author contributors and readers who have expressed confidence in CTR as a venue for publication of their research. A special word of thanks must go to Elizabeth Jane Lux, as Assistant to the Editor, she has kept the entire Editorial Office (and me) running efficiently for the past 10 years.
Arthur Veis
Feinberg School of Medicine,
Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA