Abstract
As detailed in the accompanying editorial, the field of gene therapy is exploding with promise and opportunities, bringing renewed hope to patients and their families. For the past 30 years, Human Gene Therapy has been dedicated to providing the critical platform to present the latest research and clinical findings that are driving our field forwards. Indeed, the journal was launched before we even knew that gene therapy was going to be a clinical success.
As we enter a new decade and look forward to reaching that 30th anniversary milestone in a few months, we feel this is the ideal time to undertake some renovations and enhancements to the journal. Some of these are cosmetic; others are functional. All are designed to improve the accessibility, visibility, and value of the journal, reinforcing its status as the first premium journal devoted to the practice and promise of human gene therapy.
Here is a summary of the major changes to Human Gene Therapy:
Three into one: Beginning in 2020, we have reincorporated HGT Methods and HGT Clinical Development into the main journal. Advances in new technology and clinical application are so fundamental to the practice of gene therapy that it made little sense to splinter them off. We will continue to highlight methods and clinical papers in the Table of Contents of each monthly edition of Human Gene Therapy.
A new look: A new decade merits a new design and a new logo! Our team has produced a bold new logo and changed the layout of the entire journal, from the cover design to the articles inside. You'll also see more of the “HGT” logo. This is a fresh, modern look for a journal at the cutting edge of a rapidly growing field.
Editorial leadership: We have made some important additions to the editorial board. Helping to shape and inspire the journal going forward are: Hildegard Buning (European Editor) and Yu-Quan Wei (Asian Editor); Seng Chen, Mark Kay, and Thierry VandenDriessche (Deputy Editors); and Jennifer Adair, Robin Ali, Reed Clark, Dongsheng Duan, and Maria Limberis (Associate Editors). We are also thrilled to welcome a remarkable quartet of Senior Consulting Editors: Nathalie Cartier-Lacave, J. Keith Joung, Carl June, and Feng Zhang. These outstanding scientists and physicians will help recruit and highlight important research in areas such as genome editing and immunotherapy, which are playing such important parts in the evolution of our field. We also welcome Nicole Paulk as the newest member of our editorial board, and we anticipate bolstering the team as the year progresses. Finally, we want to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. James M. Wilson for his term of service as Editor of Human Gene Therapy Clinical Development. Dr. Wilson's creative and dynamic editorial and intellectual leadership of the journal have been remarkable, as was his prior service as Editor-in-Chief of the journal family.
Front matter: Human Gene Therapy has long featured interesting reviews, profiles, and analysis, and we aim to expand on that. In this issue, you'll continue to find news briefs (compiled by Alex Philippidis, on loan from Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News) and interviews with key names in the gene therapy field—this month, it just happens to be the Editor-in-Chief himself! We also debut a “News & Views” article from Steven Paul, and warmly invite other contributions on exciting research in the months to follow.
This is a breathtaking time in gene therapy. These changes will help us to produce a journal that not only does justice to the vibrancy of the field but also has an indisputable role in validating and disseminating the critical research that will help gene therapy realize its full potential.