We wish to announce a change in senior editorship for Medicinal Research Reviews beginning with this issue, and to outline for you our goals and vision for the future of the journal. We recognize the magnitude of the challenge before us to sustain the prominence that MRR enjoys within the scientific community. MRR remains the most widely cited review journal in its category, despite the emergence of several new publications with overlapping editorial objectives. Throughout its 18-year history, MRR has consistently published important and timely reviews on a broad range of topics taken from the many sub-disciplines that make up the fabric of medicinal chemistry. We have every intention of continuing this tradition, and so the principal mandate for MRR will continue to be the publication of high-quality, comprehensive reviews on subjects of current importance. We hope to build upon this proud legacy with the addition of occasional features that we hope you will find useful and informative. As an example, MRR will serve as a forum for opinion/perspective articles solicited from thought leaders on important issues which directly or indirectly impact on medicinal chemistry and drug research, including developments in technology, the marketplace, and government regulatory bodies. We also intend to commission pedagogical articles on subjects of importance to the field. Finally, MRR will on occasion include symposium proceedings from relevant conferences. Indeed, issues 4 -6 this year will include articles from the 1999 Winter Conference on Medicinal and Bioorganic Chemistry.
Organizationally, we are in the process of expanding the editorial board of MRR to ensure more comprehensive scientific and geographic representation. Changes in the editorial board membership will be reflected in the journal masthead as they occur. The panel of expert reviewers will also grow in order to ensure that the high standards established by our predecessors are maintained during our tenure.
We would be remiss if we were to fail at this opportunity to acknowledge the stewardship of Professor Les Mitscher during his tenure as editor-in-chief for the past few years since Professor DeSteven's death. Les has been a constant mentor and friend to both of us for many years, and we are grateful that he will remain associated with MRR as a contributing member of the editorial board.
Lastly, we invite you, the Reader, to contact us at any time with your thoughts on how this journal might evolve to better serve the community of scientists who are committed to the field of medicinal chemistry. We are keenly aware that without you this journal serves no purpose, so it is our intention to make MRR an important contributor to your scientific success. We look forward to your constant feedback.