Abstract
Physical Biology is a new peer-reviewed publication from Institute of Physics Publishing. Launched in 2004, the journal will foster the integration of biology with the traditionally more quantitative fields of physics, chemistry, computer science and other math-based disciplines. Its primary aim is to further the understanding of biological systems at all levels of complexity, ranging from the role of structure and dynamics of a single molecule to cellular networks and organisms. The journal encourages the development of a new biology-driven physics based on the extraordinary and increasingly rich data arising in biology, and provides research directions for those involved in the creation of novel bio-engineered systems.
Physical Biology will publish a stimulating combination of full length research articles, communications, perspectives, reviews and tutorials from a wide range of disciplines covering topics such as:
Single-molecule studies and nanobiotechnology
Molecular interactions and protein folding
Charge transfer and photobiology
Ion channels; structure, function and ion regulation
Molecular motors and force generation
Subcellular processes
Biological networks and neural systems
Modeling aspects of molecular and cell biology
Cell–cell signaling and interaction
Biological patterns and development
Evolutionary processes
Novel tools and methods in physical biology
Experts in the areas encompassed by the journal's scope have been appointed to the Editorial Scientific Committee and the composition of the Committee will be updated regularly to reflect the developments in this new and exciting field.
Physical Biology is free online to everyone in 2004; you are invited to take advantage of this offer by visiting the journal homepage at http://physbio.iop.org
This special print edition of Physical Biology is a combination of issues 1 and 2 of this electronic-only journal and it brings together an impressive range of articles in the fields covered, including a popular tutorial `An introduction to cell motility for the physical scientist' by D A Fletcher and J A Theriot.
Physical Biology offers a number of benefits to the author including free publication (no page or color charges), free multimedia enhancements, rapid publication and a large international readership. To ensure that Physical Biology is truly interdisciplinary and accessible to readers across a broad range of fields, the journal ultilizes a style editor. This unique service makes the journal indispensible to biologists and physicists alike. The feedback from both readers and authors on the use of style editing has been positive: `it is unusual in my experience for a journal to provide such guidance and it augurs well for Physical Biology's role in bridging the gap between the physical and biological sciences' S S Andrews, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, USA.
You are invited to join the growing list of authors by submitting your work to this new, cutting-edge and rigorously peer-reviewed journal.