Editorial

Martin Kupiec

Michael Polymenis

Generations of biologists have embraced microbial model systems as tools to answer fundamental questions in biology. Can anyone imagine our understanding of biology without the contributions from microbial systems? Since 1979, Current Genetics has published quality research related to the genetic, genomic, molecular, and systems-level analysis of microbial model systems and their organelles. 

Throughout its history, Current Genetics has focused on the scientists it serves. It has changed and evolved along with them. Current Genetics content has expanded to prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial systems, including fungi and protists, and those cells' organelles. In recent years, the Journal also covered systems and synthetic biology, as well as genomics and evolutionary studies. Current Genetics also publishes cutting edge mini-reviews that carefully summarize one specific topic, supporting arguments, and open questions for future research. These articles are helpful to the Journal's science community, and they have proven very popular with the audience of Current Genetics.

At the end of 2020, Martin Kupiec, the editor-in-chief of the Journal, is stepping down at the helm of Current Genetics. Michael Polymenis will succeed him as an editor. In the coming years, we expect to maintain and expand the content that appears in Current Genetics. Microbial model systems will continue to be valuable as tools to address genetic and physiological questions. In addition to practical problems associated with microorganisms, such as pathogenesis, and their exploitation for industrial purposes, microorganisms are ideal for exploring basic and universal questions related to the function and growth of cells in general. With relatively small genomes and rapid growth rates, they provide excellent research systems to learn about fundamental genetic phenomena. Moreover, they provide tools to ask critical scientific questions related to evolution and ecology. It is increasingly recognized that it is the interaction of different microbial species in microbial communities that determine these organisms' biology in natural settings relevant to their ecology and pathogenicity. We anticipate that more articles will deal with microbial interactions in such 'community' settings. Other areas of interest to the scientists we serve include detailed protocols of techniques pertinent to particular microbes or organelles. Such articles will reveal lab lore and transmit it effectively to the next generations of researchers. Especially those researchers at the start of their career, undergraduate or graduate students. 

Given the pace of developments in the field, we expect research breakthroughs from around the world. Current Genetics aims to be a global vehicle for disseminating quality research in microbial systems. Our Board is composed of renowned scientists working in 15 countries worldwide in all possible aspects of microbial biology and genetics. We encourage scientists from all countries and continents to submit their work to the Journal. All manuscripts are subjected to a thorough but rapid review process. On average, authors can expect to receive the first review of their work within ten days, and once papers are accepted, they are immediately posted in PubMed.

We are looking forward to many more exciting years of expanding and serving the audience of Current Genetics.

December 2020