The first issue of Platelets was published in 1990 and the journal has provided a unique outlet specifically dedicated to this important and diverse subject. Almost 20 years on, the journal continues to be a success, reflected by the growing impact factor of 2.271.
At the last editorial board meeting at the ISTH in Boston it was decided to inaugurate a new section specifically devoted to “Methods used in Platelet Research”. This will become a unique feature of Platelets as no other hemostasis and thrombosis journals currently publish articles in this subject area. With the growing complexity and enormous range of different platelet methodologies, coupled with increasing utility of new technologies, we envisage that this section will be of huge benefit to platelet researchers worldwide. It should not only improve standardization between laboratories but provide up-to-date and detailed descriptions of both old and new methods that are often difficult to replicate and may thus help to resolve controversies in the field.
We therefore invite the platelet community to submit specific but detailed methods papers in all areas of platelet research for potential publication in Platelets. The papers will, of course, be subject to normal peer review and those accepted will appear in a specific Methods section, with the initial aim of publishing at least one paper per issue. To encourage widespread dissemination of the methods that are published it has been agreed that Methods section papers will be made free access for 3 months from date of publication of the online issue.
We look forward to reading your submitted papers. Details of the preferred layout are in the updated Instructions for Authors at www.informahealthcare.com/plt and papers should be uploaded to the usual journal online submission site at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cpla.