Abstract
A
The historical progression of the journal as it documented the expanding breakthroughs and accomplishments of the collaborative efforts of the global community of scientific, medical, pharmacological, and biomedical disciplines has truly been amazing. And for many who have participated, it has been a privilege and an honor. I think it is safe to say that never in the history of disease, due to publications such as AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, has the field so quickly and diligently worked to understand, treat, and now prevent or possibly cure a pandemic such as HIV. We will be celebrating these contributions next year, which marks the 30th anniversary of AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses.
This issue presents our second annual special issue focused on HIV prevention science. These are exciting times for the field of prevention science, with the success of preexposure prophylaxis and progress toward microbicides and vaccines to decrease the rate of HIV acquisition. A vaccine is of the highest priority. Although we can treat HIV with powerful antiviral drugs, and even use these compounds to prevent HIV acquisition, it is clear that we need a vaccine to protect the world from this virus. Beyond preventing new infections, the field is now focused on the idea of a cure, an idea that was once believed to be impossible. However, examples of functional cures in the “Berlin Patient” and others suggest that it may be possible to permanently decrease virus replication to levels at which treatment is no longer needed. To facilitate the advancement of the field, the journal is poised to disseminate the information as quickly as possible to help maintain this momentum. Our rapid publication policy in which accepted articles are available online within 72 hours and in MEDLINE shortly thereafter has proven to be very popular among researchers, who are eager for their results to be seen by the research community as rapidly as possible.
A personal point of pride for me in the development of AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses is the establishment of the young investigator editorial board. This has proven to be an outstanding mechanism to help develop young researchers into independent scientists. Based on their important contributions to the journal, a number of the members of the Young Investigator Editorial Board have been promoted to the full editorial board, demonstrating the success of the program. The Young Investigator Editorial Board also functions to stimulate interactions between young scientists to advance research. This is demonstrated by the success of the annual “Peer Bash,” which is held at national and international meetings and brings together young scientists with those well-established investigators in order to facilitate their success.
Please join us in celebrating 30 remarkable years as we move toward a future without HIV/AIDS by submitting your outstanding research for rapid publication in the journal. We are especially interested in reviews, opinion pieces, and perspectives, which address areas of differing viewpoints and highlight the advances that we have made since AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses was started in 1983.
In closing I would like to acknowledge our publisher, Mary Ann Liebert. Mary Ann launched the journal 30 years ago with a firm commitment that did not waiver, despite advisors warning her that such a journal would ruin the reputation of her young company because AIDS was a homosexual health problem, or just a “flash in the pan.” Thankfully, Mary Ann did not listen and our journal is a testament to her perseverance and commitment. I am proud to be the fourth editor of this journal, following pioneers such as Joe Sonnabend, Dani Bolognesi, and Eric Hunter.