Cellular engineering in printFollowing the creation of the IFMBE Working Group on Cellular Engineering in 1989, it became clear that a substantial growth was taking place in the field of cellular engineering. This was reflected in the strong support for working group activities and the appearance of cellular engineering in the programmes of conferences and symposia organised by other groups. Opportunities existed in a variety of publications for the dissemination of research work relevant to the field of cellular engineering (J Biomech, J Chem Soc, J Biomat, MBEC and many others), although the term 'cellular engineering' was not in general use. In 1992, MBEC published a special feature on cellular engineering, which attracted considerable interest among authors and readers alike. By the time of the 1st International Conference on Cellular Engineering (Stoke-on-Trent, September 1993) there was widespread informal discussion about the need for a journal to encompass the field. Initial discussions took place with the Institute of Physics Publishing. At the IFMBE Administrative Council meeting which took place in Japan early in 1994, the AC felt that rapid progress should be made with the venture and at the Rio World Congress later in 1994, it proposed that the new journal, called Cellular Engineering, should be seen as a sister publication to MBEC, with PPL as the preferred publishers and Professor Rolfe as Editor in Chief. A business plan was drawn up which was agreed by the FJC and supported by the AC, and plans were made for a formal launch at the 2nd International Conference on Cellular Engineering at La Jolla in August 1995. During the early part of 1995, much time and effort was devoted to the appointment of an editorial board, which was representative both geographically and in terms of specialities, and to the soliciting of quality submissions for the inaugural issue. It was agreed that the abstracts for the 2nd International Conference should be published as a supplement within Cellular Engineering covers. The appointment of Professor Peter Rolfe as Editor in Chief was formally approved. Meanwhile, PPL went ahead with arrangements for widespread advertising of the new publication. Everything was ready as planned by August 1995, and Cellular Engineering was launched at the 2nd International Conference with notable success. The journal has continued to attract considerable interest and a steady flow of submissions. Four special issues organised by guest editors are well under way: bone morphogenetic proteins (Professor Ch Baquey, Bordeaux); optical characterisation of cell properties (Professor P A Oberg, Sweden); the neuro-electronic interface (Professor M Grattarola, Genoa) and skin substitutes/replacements (Professor O Damour, Lyon), with a further issue on mechanical aspects of the cytoskeleton being planned. It is hoped to identify a number of the presentations at the 3rd International Conference on Cellular Engineering (San Remo, September 1997) for possible publication. Peter Rolfe, UK | ||