First birthdays are usually quite a milestone for anyone, with celebrations, gifts and a look back on how the individual has grown. The Royal Society of Chemistry's two new interdisciplinary journals, Molecular BioSystems and Soft Matter, are no different and having completed their first year of publication, it's time to celebrate and look back on their successes.

Both journals have attracted research from leading scientists from around the world and across the disciplines. In its first year, Soft Matter has published papers on topics as diverse as surface science, polymer brushes, biological ion channels, core-shell nanoparticles, flow of complex fluids, and liquid crystals. Meanwhile, Molecular BioSystems has covered topics including the control of stem cell development using small molecules, protein clustering, cell isolation and analytical methods for identifying genes.   

Authors and readers of the journals have benefited from the exceptional publication times for which RSC Publishing is renowned, publishing the latest research faster. Ground-breaking papers and cutting-edge science are highlighted and promoted on our website and via news supplements such as this, and on the attractive journal covers of every issue.   

So what's in store for their future? For Soft Matter, the editor Carol Stanier is keen to develop the journal in the bio-related sciences arena. New editorial board members, Joachim Spatz from the Max Planck Institute für Metallforschung and University of Heidelberg, Germany and David Bensimon from Ecole Normale Superieure, France, have been appointed to guide the journal as it looks to publish more research on the biological aspects of soft matter. For Molecular BioSystems, the introduction of new additional online features will include links to major databases including PubChem, links to freely downloadable ChemDraw figures for significant structures and RSS feeds for journal Advance Articles.   

With an outstanding scientific start, strong positive feedback from the community and some exciting new developments in the pipeline, a successful future for Soft Matter and Molecular BioSystems looks certain.

Find out more, and read the journals for free: 

A recent article by Roberta Di Monte and Jan Kaspar in Journal of Materials Chemistry reviewing the properties of ceria- and zirconia-based mixed oxides has become the second (Essential Science Indicator) Fast Breaking Paper in a row for the Journal. Mixed oxides spark interest because they are used in a wide variety of areas: from catalysts and ceramics to gas sensors and sunscreens.   

This month's issue of Chem. Soc. Rev. features six world class reviews on lanthanides in medicine. Applications include iron removal or supplementation; contrast agents in imaging; mobilization of undesirable excess metal ions; and in radiotherapy...proving there's much more to this important series than a footnote to the periodic table.