We have come a long way from the birth of immunology, but many challenges remain. Autoimmune diseases are on the increase; we do not yet know how to stimulate the immune system to eliminate cancer; infectious diseases are on the rise and the need for efficacious vaccines is ever-present; and we still have a lot to learn about overcoming transplant rejection.

So, immunology is as relevant as ever, and the discipline is thriving. But the community is expanding rapidly, the number of relevant journals is increasing at an amazing pace and there is too little time to tackle it all. How do you keep up with everything? We feel sure that Nature Reviews Immunology will help you do just that.

Nature Reviews Immunology will provide you with accessible, in-depth coverage of all areas of immunology, from basic mechanisms to applied aspects. The journal has adopted the established Nature Reviews structure, and contains three main sections. First up is the Highlights section — chosen with the aid of an expert panel of advisors and written by the editors, the Highlights will keep you up to date with the latest research developments in immunology. The core section of the journal contains Reviews written by leading immunologists and refereed by their peers. Last, but by no means least, comes the Perspectives section, which, as the name suggests, approaches the subject from a different angle — here you will find personal opinions, historical overviews and articles highlighting the implications of immunology for society. Online (http://www.nature.com/reviews/immunol), there are lots of extra features, including supplemental material, animations and links to public databases.

Welcome, then, to our launch issue. Enjoy!