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As the AJP: Endocrinology and Metabolism leadership changes hands with the turning of the millennium, it is appropriate that we comment briefly on the changes we plan to implement in connection with the Journal over the next few years. Historically, the majority of research articles published in the Journal involve experimentation using animal models to explore various problems in endocrinology and metabolism, with emphasis on the hormonal regulation of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. These general areas of investigation will continue to comprise an important part of the original research published in the Journal. However, we hope to expand our coverage of certain areas and branch out into new areas of research that are just now developing or that have thus far been the province of other journals. First, we want to encourage the submission of high quality manuscripts that deal with studies involving human subjects. Second, we would like to increase the rate of submission of studies aimed at elucidating the structure, function, or regulation of molecules involved in metabolic processes. Third, we intend to actively solicit the submission of studies that utilize novel technologies and approaches, especially those in the areas of molecular genetics, proteomics, and the use of genetically altered animal models to address problems of direct relevance to metabolism and endocrinology.

There will also be some changes in the use of editorial pages in the Journal. With the explosion in scientific publishing that has occurred during the past decade, few of us have the time to read in-depth review articles, especially those outside our immediate areas of interest. Therefore, although a greater number of review articles will be published, these will be more highly focused and considerably shorter than those published in the past. Reviews of this nature are much easier to commission from scientists who have limited time to devote to extracurricular writing activities. Commentaries will also periodically be solicited to accompany research articles judged by the editors to be of exceptional significance. We also invite our readers to submit letters to the editor. These can either address a specific study published in the Journal or comment on some issue or controversy judged to be of interest to a segment of our readership. Occasionally the editors may commission specific opinion pieces that address similar issues. We hope that if we call on you to request one of these contributions to the Journal, you will do your best to accommodate us.

A major change is being implemented with regard to the manuscript submission and review procedures. Both the submission and review of manuscripts will be expedited by an online process developed and maintained by the American Physiological Society. We anticipate that these new procedures will significantly accelerate the time from manuscript submission to publication. However, our highest priority will always be to provide fair and rigorous peer review of submitted manuscripts. We shall remain committed to publishing the highest caliber of research in endocrinology and metabolism.

In closing, we thank Jeffrey Pessin and his editorial team for the superb job they have done leading the Journal for the past six years. They have made our job that much easier.