Editorial: A new chapter for Free Radical Research

Abstract

I would like to begin my role as the new Editor in Chief of Free Radical Research (FRR) by acknowledging the contributions of the former Editor in Chief, my esteemed colleague and friend, Professor Michael J. Davies, who has devoted himself tirelessly to improving the journal’s quality. Together with many individuals who have served as Associate Editors and Editorial Board members, Mike has made FRR what it is today [1]. FRR, first published in 1985, is an authoritative source of information that reports mechanistic and technological advances related to the effects of free radicals. The journal has published many excellent basic studies in the field of free radical, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidants and provided a venue for presentation of research relevant to all aspects of the basis of free radical science. This broad scope also encompasses the fields of redox biology, disease biology, cell biology, and toxicology. I believe that the interaction between chemistry and biology is essential for the advancement of free radical sciences. Hence, in addition to the current scope, in the future, this journal will place greater emphasis on (i) chemical, biological, physical, and/or structural basis of unidentified short-lived intermediates originated from endogenous and exogenous molecules, (ii) chemical and biochemical mechanisms by which free radicals or their counterparts, such as antioxidants, interact with living systems, (iii) molecular mechanisms by which the cellular responses to free radicals affect intact organisms, leading to the pathogenesis of disease, and (iv) the development and application of new methodologies for the investigation of the interaction of free radicals within living systems. Another success factor for FRR to date has been through the collaborations with the Asian and Australian chapters of the Society for Free Radical Research. We are proud to be the sponsors of many initiatives that the two societies have in fostering research, including travel grants for young investigators to attend the societies conferences. We also partner with these events to showcase the research from these communities in special issues of the journal, for example, the special issue that arose from the joint meeting of the Society for Free Radical Research – Asia, the Asian Society of Mitochondrial Research and Medicine and the Chinese Mitochondrial Research Association in Xi’an, China, was recently published in the journal [2]. As FRR evolves to better meet the need of the free radical research community, we are continuously examining our services and looking for ways to do even better. We are grateful to the Associate Editors and the Editorial Board, both the “old” and the “new”, who help us provide constructive feedback to our authors in an efficient manner, with a first decision time of 21 days. As the new Editor-in-Chief, I look forward to a stimulating and dynamic cooperation with many compassionate and dedicated researchers, as well as to further the prosperity and success of FRR.