Biotechnol. Rog. 19Q2,8, 167
EDITORIAL The Need for Rapid Publication of Critical Literature Reviews Why are reviews important? Now, more than a t any previous time, there is a need for rapid publication of accurate, critical Reviews of published literature in the rapidly expanding areas of science and engineering related to biotechnology. Biotechnology Progress is taking the lead in introducing short Reviews and Topical Papers in both engineering related to manipulation and control of biological systems and the emergingareas of biological sciencefundamental to bioprocessing,alteration of cellular metabolism, gene expression, and separation of biological molecules. It is evident from the pages of Biotechnology Progress that the variety of biological systems that have potential application as catalysts for production of useful products or environmental remediation is increasing very rapidly. The fundamental biological literature related to these systems is often published in a wide variety of journals, symposiumvolumes, and patents. In addition, the frequencyof publication of minimal preliminary results, abstracts without data, or repetitious publication of original data in both fundamental and technology-related journals continues to increase. Further complicating the search for important information is the publication of new journals related to specific topics in biotechnology. These trends will continue to increase the difficultyof identifying important new results as they appear in the published literature that will have an impact outside of a specific discipline. Even with contemporary data bases, it is sometimes impossible to read all of the literature in a single field as it appears. This task is even more formidable for students and professionals in the cross-disciplinary field of biotechnology. Important developments occur that may have a significant impact on an existing biological system in another field or will likely eventually replace an existing biological or engineering system with a more efficient method. Many more professionals today need to understand developments in biological or engineering fields outside of their primary area of expertise than in any previous period. Rapid publication of Reviews and Topical Papers in Biotechnology Progress will fill this need. The format of the Reviews will be especially useful for providing students with a current introduction to important areas of science and technology. The Editors encourage constructive comments both on topical areas that would benefit from publication of a criticalreview and on how Biotechnology Progress Reviews and Topical Papers can best serve the academic and the industrial communities.
Michael C. Flickinger Associate Editor, Reviews May 1992
87567938/92/300&0167$03.00/0
0 1992 Amerlcan Chemlcal Soclety and American Institute of Chemical Englneers
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