Nature Cell Biology was launched four years ago this May. In its early days, NCB built a strong reputation in the fields of cytoskeleton, adhesion and migration, as well as all forms of cellular traffic, expanding its horizons steadily to include in-depth coverage of cell cycle, signal transduction, developmental biology and apoptosis. As the boundaries between organism- and subject-based fields blur in light of discoveries of increasingly fundamental and universal themes, we are following suit with a broader editorial remit. At the heart of this is the increasingly sophisticated understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cell biology. In this spirit, we will significantly enhance our drive to present some of the most exciting discoveries in molecular cell biology. The biggest single new area we aim to add to our portfolio are nuclear events, such as DNA replication and repair, chromatin biology and transcription. We would like to emphasize that this broadening of scope is a natural process in the evolution of a general cell biology journal and will not in the least displace or crowd any of our more traditional subject areas. Our basic criteria will remain to publish research providing an exceptional conceptual advance through highly significant and reproducible studies that support physiological relevance, as well as presenting an in-depth mechanistic exploration of the observed phenomena.

NCB will increase its editorial staff to five research editors in the coming months. Aside from allowing us to represent a more diverse set of scientific expertise editorially, the aim is to allow our editors to stay in touch better with the community. We regard the continued exposure of our editors to the latest scientific findings as an essential component of the editorial process. The main editorial offices of this journal remain in London. However, to allow for a more efficient access to the North American community, we have chosen Boston for our first permanent office in the US.

NCB constantly strives to optimize ways of publishing the best research in cell biology for the widest possible audience. This year will see two major changes that are designed to clarify and enhance the readability of this journal. On the one hand, we have decided to harmonise the type of content carried by the Nature Research Journals, so that it will be easier to navigate between the seven journals in the group. On the other hand, we are extensively redesigning the look of NCB. This applies both to the printed journal, as well as the websites hosting them. The benefits will be fresh and clear layouts, as well as a significantly enhanced content. Note, however, that a generic feel to the journals will be avoided and we will continue to optimize each journal to serve its community best.

The beginning of the year already saw the move from two to three formats for primary research (Articles, Letters and Brief Communications; see our January editorial), as well as the inception of an image competition together with Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology. We are diversifying our front half to carry Perspectives, in addition to the customary Reviews, Commentaries, News and Views, Meeting Reports, Book Reviews, Historical Perspectives and Technology Reviews. We see the Perspectives section as filling a desirable niche between full reviews, which are comprehensive and authoritative summaries of the existing literature, and Commentaries, which encompass accessible, less technical short articles of exceptional interest that may emphasize the authors' viewpoints more strongly. Perspectives are scholarly contributions on the primary literature with a narrower, more forward-looking and/or speculative take on matters than reviews. The Correspondence section (formerly called Letters to the Editor), on the other hand, presents a platform for the dissemination of general issues of broad interest. We value strong but informed opinions and hope this section can function as a catalyst for essential debates related to cell biology, be it on scientific issues, politics or ethics.

Monitor how our evolution proceeds; see yourself as our environment and set the parameters to see the journal you want emerge. We encourage feedback now and as these changes appear, so that we can try to incorporate creative ideas. Indeed, we extend this call to encourage you to more actively contribute to our Correspondence section, which should be a forum that is not restricted to specialized scientific debate, but also covers important ethical and political issues that affect us all. Why not start with some of the subjects raised in recent editorials, such as cloning, bioterrorism, scientific openness or copyright?