The launch of international journal of molecular epidemiology and genetics. (2010)

We are very pleased to announce the launch of International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics (Int J Molec Epidemiol Genet or IJMEG), which is a new entirely open access online peer-reviewed academic journal.

International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics was founded in 2009 by a group of international non-clinical and clinical academic researchers from around the world, who are dedicated to the advancement and promotion of understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying health and disease using an epidemiologic framework.

The term ‘Molecular Epidemiology’ has been a presence in the scientific literature since the early 1970s. Molecular Epidemiology follows an analogous model to that of traditional and clinical epidemiology that investigates levels of disease prevalence and incidence with respect to exposure to various risk factors. Yet, Molecular Epidemiology offers additional levels of information and resolution by integrating data from molecular, cellular and tissue-based investigations. This integration of additional mechanistic information can therefore enrich novel avenues of research, prevention and intervention to improve health.

International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics is therefore designed as a journal to formally host the publication of all facets of molecular epidemiological research that integrate molecular, technical (laboratory and information technology based) and analytical methodologies into the study of multiple disease endpoints. International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics offers many of the valuable qualities of exceptional general and more focussed journals on epidemiology and genetics already in existence, but also emphasises the utility and scope of incorporating biological mechanisms, indicators and practicalities in the measurement of factors affecting the health and illness of populations.

Unlike most other open access online journals, International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics will retain many familiar and traditional features of a paper-based publication, such as a unique cover page for every issue and continuous volume, issue and page numbers consistent with other academic journals. The scope offered by International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics is reflected by our exceptional International Editorial Board. This comprises multi-disciplinary researchers from a wide variety of disease backgrounds yet who share a common focus of trying to increase and integrate knowledge about chronic disease aetiology that will advance the prevention and cure of these diseases and improve public health in general. The Editorial Board has been hand-picked to help the journal strive to publish high quality research and ideas on disease aetiology from the international community and that it sees as epitomising the philosophies and approaches underpinning Molecular Epidemiology.

International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics will provide and maintain the highest quality standards of service to our contributors who can avail of a wide variety of publication formats in keeping with many traditional academic journals. This includes scope to publish brief Genetic Association Reports and Meta-Analvsis studies of disease susceptibility genes. The journal will also support forum-based discussion through the availability of commentary and letters to the editor formats as well as incorporating educational and instructional formats including traditional original and review articles that may also have emphasis towards technical or methodological approaches to data collection and integration which will be of value to Molecular Epidemiologists around the world.

International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics will constantly strive for rapid peer review of all manuscripts, their prompt return with reviewers' comments and with a fair editorial decision. The journal will publish all accepted manuscripts online within two weeks of formal acceptance and thus all articles will be immediately available ahead of completed issues.

With publication of this inaugural issue, International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics will be submitted to the National Library of Medicine, Washington DC for indexing and abstracting in PubMed. We also wish to convey our sincere thanks to the many people whose support and suggestions have enabled the launch of this new journal which we hope will always serve as a prominent option for the publication of your future research and ideas.