A change at the helm of FEBS Letters

Felix Wieland (left) and Michael Brunner (right) After having had the privilege of serving as Managing Editor FEBS Letters for 20 years now, I feel time has to come a successor lead journal through ever-growing waves scientific publishing. My appointment at head in 2001 was result tragic death my predecessor Matti Saraste, who succeeded Giorgio Semenza 1999. Since Editorial Office only recently been set up Heidelberg, Board Member located invited by Publications Committee take over. not quite sure time, but agreed serve trial period one year. Within this experienced stimulating collaboration with highly gifted motivated young colleagues office irrevocably pulled into editorial world. Together, we implemented alterations procedure some which initiated Matti, most important adoption an electronic manuscript handling system. Throughout years, maintained potentiated its speed publication (3 weeks first decision on average), while same ensuring rigorous fair peer-review process. Our remarkable times are made possible efficient prescreening incoming submissions performed qualified in-house editors, select articles best suited journal’s aims hand them Members matching expertise. Quality is basis core sustainable scholarly all engaged active scientists, oversee review process provide earnest, smooth fast service our authors. In keeping model, also offers ‘Fast Track’ option, that is, expedited manuscripts have rejected reviews from ranked journals. Decisions Fast Tracks early week submission. grown diversified portfolio. While turn century introduced Special Issues (at collections minireviews covering selected topics general interest), now include full-length comprehensive ‘Reviews’, ‘In Nutshell… articles, short introductory quickly expanding fields, ‘Perspectives’, put forward solid hypotheses, opinions or previously unpublished models. typically collected within smaller called ‘Focus on…’ series. We publish stand-alone reviews. born reports format Research Hypotheses, 2019 Articles, become popular article type since. Communications, expand comment published papers providing novel experimental data. Last least, since 2018 publishes Scientists' Forum, more secular column dedicated science society, policy, publishing perspectives interest scientists. Here, series like Jeff's Views (written late Jeff Schatz, Basel) Jim's (Jim Rothman, Yale) entertained sparked discussions time. 2016, under guidance Prof. Laszlo Fesus, Chair Committee, moved Wiley, united sister journals, The Journal, Molecular Oncology Open Bio, platform Press. This allowed us streamline goals reassert identity society journal, scientists net income reinvested molecular life sciences, supporting fellowships, courses conferences. change publisher taken opportunity revamp journal's appearance discontinue cumbersome printed issues favour online-only format. Leading does go without challenges. narrow-minded use impact factor measure quality least them. It longstanding experience there much research done than any can (or should) interesting content be found beyond top tier indicate immediate generated how these publications stand course appropriately measured their cited half-life. very proud 14.7 half-life Letters, clear indication solidity interest. Another fundamental trait trustworthiness brings me another major challenge. An portion constitutes fraudulent material proceeding so-called paper mills. responsibility prevent such reaching publication, no matter attractive potential citations deriving may [[1]]. At reacted promptly rigorously hiring Jana Christopher, renowned image integrity specialist, screens analyses data every accepted Press am handing over Brunner, Professor Director Heidelberg University Biochemistry Centre (BZH), will new Chief. received his PhD Hermann Bujard’s laboratory work E. coli promoter operator mechanisms. As postdoc, he worked Jim Rothman’s Princeton Sloan Kettering Institute New York SNARE proteins. He then lecturer Walter Neupert Munich, working biogenesis mitochondria. 2000, took chair BZH regulation gene expression, specifically mechanisms circadian clocks. 2018, joined Associate Editor. enthusiastic about taking role surely guide stage fresh energy. keen keep forefront trends publishing, fostering accessibility content, safeguarding purpose principles [[2]], ready challenge maintaining competitiveness among number leaving good hands, would thank present past Chairs whom developed friendships went atmosphere. want express gratitude wonderful constructive interactions Board. wish members Office, hard reliability, dedication enthusiasm. trust authors readers satisfied way operating, great publications. team always strive encourage support developing reach interested readership. leave lesson learnt message all: your friend enemy.