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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2009, p. 1619, Vol. 47, No. 6
0095-1137/09/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/JCM.00534-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
| EDITORIAL |
Editorial Comment by Gary V. Doern 
Incoming Editor in Chief, Journal of Clinical Microbiology
In July of this year, I will begin a 5-year term as editor in chief of the Journal Clinical Microbiology (JCM). I consider this to be an enormous responsibility. I also view this assignment as the most important I have ever undertaken during the 30 years that I have worked in clinical microbiology. My reasoning is simple. JCM is the most respected journal in its discipline worldwide. Our task, simply stated, is to retain that distinction and, if possible, to even improve upon it. As we consider the future, it is perhaps instructive to ask the question, how did we get to where we are today in the first place?
A huge part of the success of JCM can be attributed to the insight, quality, and hard work of the four people who have served as its editors in chief since JCM first came into existence in January of 1975. JCM evolved largely as a result of Al Balows's vision and his hard work. He served as the first editor in chief of JCM until July of 1979, when that role was assumed by Henry Isenberg. Dr. Isenberg turned the job over 10 years later to Richard Tilton, who was editor in chief until 1999, when this assignment was given to Andrew Onderdonk. As noted in his editorial (3), next month, Andy will leave his position as editor in chief of JCM after 10 years of service. Nearly 35 years of history. Nearly 35 years of excellence. Four editors in chief.
Each of these individuals has understood that just because clinical microbiology is a practical discipline, that does not mean that work in this field should not be predicated on good science. During the almost 35 years that it has been in existence, JCM has seen a laboratory discipline undergo enormous change. In the 1970s, clinical microbiology was an enterprise based almost completely on manual techniques. Gradually, older manual methods were replaced by miniaturized techniques. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw the advent of various forms of instrumentation, some of it actually bordering on automation. The decade of the 1980s was also the golden age of immunodiagnostics in clinical microbiology. True automation in clinical microbiology evolved quickly during the latter half of the 1980s and during the 1990s. It was also during this period that papers with a true molecular focus first began to appear. By my reckoning, the first description of the use of a nucleic acid-based method for detection of a microorganism appeared in JCM in 1984 (4). Prior to that time, papers describing various molecular tools for use in characterizing microorganisms for purposes of taxonomy or epidemiology had been published in JCM, but not molecular applications for organism detection. In 1989, three short years after the seminal work of Mullis and colleagues and the development of the PCR (1), the first paper describing the use of nucleic acid amplification technology in clinical microbiology was published in JCM (2). Since then, there has been an explosion of molecular applications as tools for use in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases. Throughout its existence, JCM has remained in the forefront with regard to describing technologic change in clinical microbiology.
This has never been more apparent than during Andy Onderdonk's 10-year term as editor in chief of JCM. Under Andy's guidance, as the manner in which clinical microbiology is practiced has changed, so too has JCM changed. In addition, the business of publishing in a scientific journal has changed. Electronic subscriptions have flourished, and an electronic system has been put in place to manage manuscripts. Throughout this period of change, Andy has steadfastly adhered to two fundamental principles while guiding the journal to new levels of quality: it has to be good science, and it has to be relevant to people who practice clinical microbiology. He has also understood the central importance of an accomplished group of editors and a diverse and authoritative editorial board. As a result of Andrew Onderdonk's distinguished work, together with the considerable efforts of the Journal's editors and its editorial board, JCM is now stronger than it has ever been. Our challenge, of course, as noted above, is to maintain that distinction. I personally embrace that challenge. We will move forward in a manner little different from what you have become accustomed to with JCM during Dr. Onderdonk's tenure. I can't wait.
And on a personal note, Andy, it has been a privilege to work with you during the past 10 years. As both a clinical microbiologist and your friend, I sincerely thank you for all that you have done at JCM and for the manner in which you have done it. You will be sincerely missed, and you will be a tough act to follow.
FOOTNOTES
Published ahead of print on 15 April 2009. 
The views expressed in this Editorial do not necessarily reflect the views of the journal or of ASM.
- Mullis, K., F. Faloona, S. Scharf, R. Saiki, G. Horn, and H. Erlich. 1986. Specific enzymatic amplification of DNA in vitro: the polymerase chain reaction. Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 51:263-273.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Olive, D. M. 1989. Detection of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli after polymerase chain reaction amplification with a thermostable DNA polymerase. J. Clin. Microbiol. 27:261-265.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Onderdonk, A. B. 2009. Reflections. J. Clin. Microbiol. 47:1617-1618.
[Free Full Text] - Teramoto, Y. A., M. M. Mildbrand, J. Carlson, J. K. Collins, and S. Winston. 1984. Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, DNA hybridization, hemagglutination, and electron microscopy for detection of canine parvovirus infections. J. Clin. Microbiol. 20:373-378.
[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2009, p. 1619, Vol. 47, No. 6
0095-1137/09/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/JCM.00534-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
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