RSC breaks boundaries with new journals

The Royal Society of Chemistry has unveiled plans to launch two new interdisciplinary journals, in summer 2005. The new monthly journals will reflect the emergence of new and exciting fields which lie beyond the traditional boundaries of the chemical sciences. 

Soft Matter 

Soft materials and complex fluids are amongst the topics to be covered in Soft Matter, a new journal focussing on the interface between chemistry and physics. The announcement was made at the Jülich Soft Matter Days 2004 conference. 

Soft matter is a rapidly growing research field uniting scientists from a wide range of scientific disciplines including chemistry, physics, materials science, and biology. This new journal will provide them with a forum for the communication of the generic science underpinning the properties and applications of soft matter. Hosted in the prestigious Journal of Materials Chemistry, in print and online, Soft Matter, it will make it an immediate impact in the community. 

'Soft matter pervades our world' says Peter Gregory, managing director of RSC Publishing, 'from biological systems, through washing powders, medical formulations, plastics, and paints to modern TV and computer screens. Methods of designing, producing and controlling these materials will underpin the technological developments of the future. The RSC recognises the importance of this area by launching Soft Matter.' 

Molecular BioSystems 

The interface between chemistry and the -omic sciences, and systems biology is to be the focus of a new journal, Molecular BioSystems. The announcement was made at the recent 5th International Conference on Systems Biology (Heidelberg). 

'The power of the chemical approach to biology, when combined with the amazing technologies being developed in genomics and proteomics, promises to have a transforming effect on biological research and clinical medicine' comments Thomas Kodadek, chair of the editorial board and professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. 'This journal will strive to be a thought leader in the field .....' 

In addition to Reviews, Communications and Full Papers, the journal will contain Highlights and Opinions. A key feature will be Methods - short primary research articles reporting useful new methodology. Hosted in the RSC's flagship journal, Chemical Communications, the new journal will have an instant wide readership at launch. 

'A molecular understanding of biological systems, and systems biology, is likely to become one of the most important areas of scientific endeavour' confirmed Peter Gregory, managing director of publishing at the RSC. 'Molecular BioSystems  represents a clear commitment from the RSC to support scientists working on the development of the chemistry-biology interface.' 

And finally.....

• Congratulations to Ben Feringa, chair of the editorial board for Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry for his induction to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences! The professor from the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands, was awarded the prestigious title of foreign honorary member at an induction ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  
• Crime Scene to Court, 2nd edition was recorded as the 4th bestselling science book in a recent sales list published in the national newspaper,  The Independent.