For everything there is a season
As 2021 draws to a close, we celebrate the first decade of
STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM)
with gratitude to our devoted editors, reviewers, authors, and of course, our global
loyal readership … all of you are a vital part of this first decade's history.
Ann Murphy
Founded in 2011 to bridge the gap between bench science and its clinical applications,
SCTM
was given foundational support with grants from California Institute of Regenerative
Medicine (now known as California's Stem Cell Agency) and from Quintiles Transnational
(now IQVIA). As its “Big Sister” journal
STEM CELLS
approached its 30th anniversary, we recognized the importance of worldwide studies
that were moving science from laboratory incubators to clinical translation.
When
STEM CELLS
was founded, it became the first journal devoted to what was then a novel basic research
arena. With its proven history of publishing high‐impact articles, as well as its
access to and excellent working relationships with world‐renowned stem cells experts,
AlphaMed Press's creation of
SCTM
as
STEM CELLS
' “Sister Journal” was a logical next step, one in which the sister journals would
work in tandem to derive synergy from each other and thereby to foster translational
science, moving discoveries from the laboratory to the clinic, as it relates to stem
cell therapies and regenerative medicine, at an accelerated pace by allowing knowledge
to be aggregated and shared more readily and encouraging collaborations among stem
cell biologists, clinicians, and engineers.
As our Founding Editor‐in‐Chief, Anthony Atala leads the Journal with the dedication
and passion for which he is admired around the world. As proof positive, just read
what Tony wrote a decade ago in his opening editorial to mark
SCTM's
first issue, January 20121
1
:
“As advances in our understanding of the field keep moving forward, more cell types
and applications are being used in patients. It is only fitting then to have a journal
that would serve as the forum for these types of advances in the field of cell therapy,
a journal that would not only publish the most relevant papers but also attempt to
keep an accurate pulse on the people and events that may influence the direction of
the field. A term that best describes the transition from the bench to the bedside,
and the process by which this occurs, is translational medicine. We, therefore, welcome
and celebrate the formation of:
STEM CELLS Translational Medicine
. This exciting new journal will foster the proper growth and ethical development
in this fast‐moving field. As the sister journal to
STEM CELLS
,
STEM CELLS Translational Medicine
will bridge the gap in the existing stem cells journal spectrum, and together they
will elevate the science to applications that will help the lives of many people.”
Anthony Atala Founding Editor‐in‐Chief
With Tony's leadership, we assembled a stellar international editorial board with
Paolo DeCoppi, Senior Associate Editor, and Associate Editors Douglas Losordo, Geoffrey
Gurtner, Alan Trounson, and Rocky Tuan. Terry Lappin, who has served as
STEM CELLS
Concise Review Editor since 2010, also joined
SCTM
as its Concise Review Editor. Joanne Kurtzberg and Karen Ballin edit the Journal's
Cord Blood Section, with Mahendra Rao leading Standards, Policies, Protocols, and
Regulations for Cell‐Based Therapies, and Ravinder Bhatia leading the section devoted
to Manufacturing for Regenerative Medicine. Each of them has earned global accolades
for their pioneering prominence in their respective disciplines. Now they are fulfilling
the mission of this journal, namely: to significantly advance the utilization of cells
for clinical therapy by bridging stem cell molecular and biological research and speeding
translations of emerging lab discoveries into clinical trials, thus helping to move
applications of these critical investigations closer to accepted best practices and
ultimately improve outcomes.
First Issue of SCTM
SCTM
received its first impact factor within the first two years of publication. Our first
year in print exceeded expectations. Within its first year of publication,
SCTM
was selected for indexing by the National Library of Medicine, a remarkable feat that
few journals earn. During its first decade,
SCTM
has published original articles and reviews related to the clinical translation of
all types of stem cell, cell, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine therapies,
papers with topic areas relevant to the process of translation, including cell‐based
drug development, screening, and toxicology; enabling technologies; standards, policies,
and regulations; and protocols and manufacturing for cell‐based clinical translation
and therapies, including first‐in‐human reports. Each year the journal has published
a special issue for the World Stem Cell Summit and Regenerative Medicine Essentials
Course, highlighting research in areas such as the development of safe and effective
stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, osteoarthritis, corneal wounds,
and spinal cord injury, as well as captivating reviews covering the applications of
mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) in drug delivery, preclinical application challenges,
exploration of the therapeutic effect of MSCs, and an update on cell‐based therapies
for age‐related macular degeneration.
The Journal has created strategic partnerships, serving as the official journal partner
of the Regenerative Medicine Foundation and the official journal of the Cord Blood
Association and the Regenerative Medicine Manufacturing Society. Together, we work
to bring about a vibrant regenerative medicine community of academic, government,
and industry colleagues who are all working to advance the field by producing the
Regenerative Medicine Weekly newsletter and hosting timely webinars and sponsored
conferences.
It has been my honor to work with Tony Atala and all our dedicated editors over the
years, beginning with my husband, Martin J. Murphy, who recruited me early on as a
volunteer to help with the founding of the journal,
STEM CELLS
, creating its publisher, AlphaMed Press, and establishing its Sister Journal
STEM CELLS Translational Medicine
.
I am grateful to the Journal's board members, reviewers, authors, readers, and other
contributors to the exciting process of identifying and publishing manuscripts that
are highly impactful in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine. I am grateful
to Natalina Quarto, who has served as the journal's science editor since the beginning.
I am grateful to the wonderful AlphaMed staff, Tina Belle, Suzanne Watters, Sharon
Lee, Chelsea Kekahuna, Duane Beaudot, and Matt Kenney, who have carefully cared for
and have, therefore, fostered
SCTM's
meteoritic rise in international prominence. I am also grateful to my partner‐husband,
Marty, our five children, Siobhan, Deirdre, Marty III, Sean, and Brendan, and our
10 grandchildren, Alice, Paul, Liam, Fiona, Keegan, Katelyn, Colin, Ben, Connor, and
Clare for their sacrifice, inspiration, and great humor.
For everything there is a season…
And this is the season to entrust
STEM CELLS Translational Medicine
from AlphaMed Press to the care of Oxford University Press (OUP). Founded in 1586,
OUP is the world's largest university press. Effective January 2022, OUP will proudly
welcome the Sister Journals,
STEM CELLS
and
STEM CELLS Translational Medicine
within its esteemed ranks. We look to them to fulfill the potential in
SCTM
we saw 10 years ago. Its potential is now brighter than ever. The best is yet to come!
Fare thee well!