SBiRM, Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine, is now entering its third year having established itself as the first systems biology journal dedicated to the study of reproduction. In addition to basic and applied andrology, its mandate was expanded to include the oocyte, emphasizing cell biology, fertilization, and early development. The journal seeks to emphasize translational research as we move towards personalized medicine while striving to highlight the use of systems approaches to address fundamental questions in reproductive biology. These include, but are not limited to, genomic, cellular, proteomic, metabolomic, bioinformatic, molecular, and biochemical approaches of human and animal gametes, stem cells, developmental biology, toxicology, and clinical care in reproductive medicine.
As you will notice the 2010 cover includes a collage combining figures from three manuscripts that appear in this issue. As highlighted by “Histone H4 acetylation is essential to proceed from a histone- to a protamine-based chromatin structure in spermatid nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster” by Stephan Awe and Renate Renkawitz-Pohl, “Embryonic Resorption and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Putative Immune-mediated Mechanisms” by Jacaui Detmar and Andrea Jurisicova, and “Improving Efficiencies of Locus-Specific DNA Methylation Assessment for Bovine in vitro Produced Embryos” by Ewa Wroclawska, Jason O. Brant, Thomas P. Yang, and Karen Moore, you will note that this collection reflects the intriguing breadth covered by this journal.
I would like to thank Drs. Miller and Iles, University of Leeds for the 2009 cover. The recognition of SBiRM continues to rise along with its impact factor. The latest top cited papers include:
Spadafora, C. (2008) A reverse transcriptase-dependent mechanism plays central roles in fundamental biological processes. SYSTEMS BIOLOGY IN REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 54(1):11–21.
Leduc, F., Nkoma, G.B. and Boissonneault, G. (2008) Spermiogenesis and DNA repair: A possible etiology of human infertility and genetic disorders. SYSTEMS BIOLOGY IN REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 54(1):3–10.
Nazarov, I.B., Shlyakhtenko, L.S., Lyubchenko, Y.L., Zalenskaya, I.A. and Zalensky, A.O. (2008) Sperm chromatin released by nucleases. SYSTEMS BIOLOGY IN REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 54(1):37–46.
Yoshimoto-Kakoi, T., Terada, Y., Tachibana, M., Murakami, T., Yaegashi, N. and Okamura, K. (2008) Assessing centrosomal function of infertile males using heterologous ICSI. SYSTEMS BIOLOGY IN REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 54(3):135–142.
What can you expect in 2010? SBiRM is pleased to announce that it will be featuring the following special issues.
| 1) | Focus on Impact of Environmental Toxicants on Reproductive Function with guest editor M.P. Diamond, Wayne State University | ||||
| 2) | Focus on Fertilization with guest editor P. Sutovsky, University of Missouri | ||||
| 3) | Focus on Model Systems for the Study of Spermatogenesis and Male Infertility with guest editor D. Carrell, University of Utah. | ||||
We will continue to highlight specialized meetings and will be publishing selected papers from the 4th Utah-Florence Symposium on the Genetics of Male Infertility (http://medicine.utah.edu/malegenetics/) that will be held from February 4–6, 2010 at the Canyons ski resort in Park City, Utah, USA.
As stated in our Aims and Scope, Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine (SBiRM), publishes Research Articles, Communications, Applications Notes that include protocols, a Clinical Corner that includes case reports, Review Articles, Hypotheses, and Letters to the Editor on human and animal reproduction. The journal highlights the use of systems approaches including genomic, cellular, proteomic, metabolomic, bioinformatic, molecular, and biochemical, to address fundamental questions in reproductive biology, reproductive medicine, and translational research. The journal publishes research involving human and animal gametes, stem cells, developmental biology and toxicology, and clinical care in reproductive medicine. Specific areas of interest to the journal include: male factor infertility and oocyte and sperm germ cell biology, reproductive technologies, gamete micro-manipulation and cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET), and contraception. Research that is directed towards developing new or enhanced technologies for clinical medicine or scientific research in reproduction is of significant interest to the Journal.
Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine (SBiRM) welcomes your suggestions for ways the journal may better meet the needs of the community. We appreciate your interest and support as we endeavor to bring to you the latest research, insights, and innovations in the Reproductive Sciences and invite you to submit a research paper, review, hypothesis, case report, or novel protocol.
Stephen A. Krawetz, Ph.D.,
Editor-in-Chief,
Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine