Editorial introductions

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology was launched in 2001. It is one of a successful series of review journals whose unique format is designed to provide a systematic and critical assessment of the literature as presented in the many primary journals. The fields of allergy and clinical immunology are divided into 14 sections that are reviewed once a year. Each section is assigned a Section Editor, a leading authority in the area, who identifies the most important topics at that time. Here we are pleased to introduce the Journal's Section Editors for this issue. SECTION EDITORS Stephen JollesStephen JollesStephen Jolles is Consultant Clinical Immunologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University Hospital for Wales and is Clinical Lead in the Immunodeficiency Centre for Wales. He trained in Immunology and Allergy at the Royal Free Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, the John Radcliffe in Oxford and Westmead Hospital in Sydney. His PhD in Cellular Immunology at NIMR, Mill Hill was on Langerhans cell migration and he has a particular interest in the use of immunoglobulin and its mechanism of action both in primary immunodeficiency and at high dose as an immunomodulator. His research interests involve clinical trials, the laboratory diagnosis and management of primary and secondary immunodeficiency and allergy involving the development of new diagnostic tools, screening for immunodeficiency, and the development of molecular testing for primary immunodeficiency diseases. Maite de la MorenaMaite de la Morena(M Teresa Maite) de la Morena is a Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. She graduated from medical school at the Complutense University, Madrid, Spain, in 1982. This was followed by postgraduate research training in Immunology, followed by Pediatric residency and Allergy & Immunology subspecialty training at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. Dr. de la Morena is a clinician with over twenty years of experience in the diagnosis and care of patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders. In collaboration with basic scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center her current research interests include the discovery of novel genes associated in primary immunodeficiency syndromes, the role of microRNAs in primary immunodeficiency disorders, and longitudinal clinical outcomes of patients with immunodeficiency disorders such as the X-linked form of hyper IgM and chronic granulomatous disease. Giovanni PassalacquaGiovanni PassalacquaDr Giovanni Passalacqua was born in Genoa in 1964. He graduated in 1990 from the Genoa University Medical School, Italy, and received the full specialty degrees in allergy and in respiratory medicine in 1994 and 2002. Under the chairmanship of Professor Giorgio Walter Canonica, he contributed to investigations in the mechanisms of allergic inflammation, the treatment of respiratory allergy and developed sublingual immunotherapy. Currently he is Associate Professor of Respiratory Medicine, for which also chairs the Specialty School at the University of Genoa. Dr Passalacqua has coauthored more than 300 publications in peer reviewed journals. He serves on the board of experts of Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), and is co-Chairman of the immunotherapy committee of the World Allergy Organization. Robert BushRobert BushDr Robert Bush received his MD degree from West Virginia University, USA. After completing his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in allergy and immunology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, USA, he joined the faculty. He is currently Professor (Emeritus) of Medicine and was the former Chief of Allergy at the William S Middleton VA Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. His research interests include sublingual immunotherapy, allergen characterization, fungal allergy, food allergy, and occupational asthma.