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March 2010
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Luminescence
Featured Journal Interview
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According to a recent analysis of
Essential Science IndicatorsSM data from
Thomson
Reuters, the journal Luminescence is having a
growing impact in the field of Biology & Biochemistry.
The journal's record in this field includes 540 papers
cited a total of 2,837 times from January 1, 1999 to
October 31, 2009.
Founded in 1986, Luminescence is published by
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Its current Editor-in-Chief is
Professor L.J. Kricka of the Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania.
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In this interview, ScienceWatch.com talks with
Professor Kricka about the journal's history and citation
achievements.
Did you expect Luminescence to
become highly cited, or is this surprising to you?
No, the citation success of Luminescence is not surprising in view
of the fact that the various forms of luminescence, e.g.,
chemiluminescence, have emerged as the basis of many important analytical
methods, both in research and in clinical analysis. The recent award of the
2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the Green Fluorescent Protein work has
also helped to further raise the visibility of luminescent techniques.
How would you account for the increased citation
rate of Luminescence?
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"The journal provides a focus for work in both
fundamental and applied luminescence of all different
types."
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The expanded scope of the journal from a focus on chemiluminescence and
bioluminescence to all forms of luminescence (chemiluminescence,
bioluminescence, electrochemiluminescence, sonoluminescence,
triboluminescence, fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence, and
phosphorescence) has produced a broader base that has attracted a wider
scientific audience and hence greater popularity for the journal. In
addition, the expansion of scientific interest in luminescence from Asia
and a sharp increase in manuscripts from the region has been very
noticeable over recent years and this has broadened the audience for this
journal.
Was there a change in policy or editorial
direction that might account for this?
Several years ago we changed the name of the journal from the Journal
of Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence to simply
Luminescence, and expanded the scope of the journal from a focus
on chemiluminescence and bioluminescence to all forms of luminescence, as
noted above. This broader base has provided a wider scientific audience and
hence greater popularity. Another factor that has contributed to an
increase in the impact of the journal has been electronic access to the
journal through its website.
What historical factors have contributed to the
success of Luminescence?
Luminescence was the first journal to focus on bioluminescence and
chemiluminescence (as its predecessor the Journal of Bioluminescence
and Chemiluminescence) and it was founded at a time of tremendous
growth in the field. It provided a natural choice for scientists in this
emerging field to publish their work and to keep abreast of the latest
developments.
Have there been specific developments in the
fields served by Luminescence that may have
contributed?
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"The recent award of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
for the Green Fluorescent Protein work has also helped to
further raise the visibility of luminescent
techniques."
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There are a number of important scientific developments linked to
luminescence that have contributed to the success of the journal. In
routine clinical laboratories, chemiluminescence became a dominant
technology for routine immunoassay and nucleic acid assays. In parallel,
chemiluminescence also became a dominant technology in the research
laboratory for blotting and probing methods. Bioluminescence has also
become an important technology in the research laboratory as a result of
the cloning of genes from bioluminescent organisms, e.g., the luciferase
from the firefly, and this is used extensively in expression studies.
Fluorescence has experienced a growth in applications, especially in the
form of genes for fluorescent proteins, such as Green Fluorescent Protein,
and this has continued to fuel interest in luminescent methods in general.
What, in your view, is this journal’s main
significance or contribution in the field of Biology &
Biochemistry?
The journal provides a focus for fundamental and applied luminescence of
all different types and publishes a bibliographic survey of which helps in
positioning the periodical centrally in the community—one journal
from which all the important research in the field can be uncovered.
How do you see your field(s) evolving in the next
few years?
I see continued progress in the understanding of the biology of
bioluminescence and a steady expansion in the applications of all forms of
luminescence.
What role do you see for your journal?
The journal provides a focus for work in both fundamental and applied
luminescence of all different types. It also provides a current awareness
in the field through its publication of regular literature surveys, and
timely abstracts from the major luminescence conferences. In fact, the
journal has published the abstracts for the biannual International
Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence Symposium since 1988.
Additional information:
-
Luminescence is a New Entrant in Biology & Biochemistry in
February 2010.
KEYWORDS: LUMINESCENCE, BIOLUMINESCENCE, CHEMILUMINESCENCE,
ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE, SONOLUMINESCENCE, TRIBOLUMINESCENCE,
FLUORESCENCE, TIME-RESOLVED FLUORESCENCE, PHOSPHORESCENCE, GREEN
FLOURESCENT PROTEIN, GFP, IMMUNOASSAY, NUCLEIC ACID ASSAYS, BLOTTING,
PROBING, BIOLUMINESCENT ORGANISMS, GENE EXPRESSION STUDIES, APPLICATIONS,
CONFERENCES.
