Amsterdam, July 22, 2009 – Berry research is currently attracting significant applied, commercial and biological interest. Reflecting increasing recognition of the need for a rigorously peer-reviewed publication in this area, IOS Press has announced the spring 2010 launch of the Journal of Berry Research.
According to Editor-in-Chief Maurizio Battino, PhD, DSc, MD (Hon), Università Politecnica della Marche, Department of Biochemistry, Biology & Genetics, Ancona, Italy, "The main objective of this new quarterly journal is to contribute to and improve knowledge regarding the quality and production of berries to benefit the health of the consumers and maintain profitable production using sustainable systems. It is our vision that the Journal will serve as a vehicle for increased collaboration and consequently would stimulate new insights."
A world-renowned expert in the field of berry research, Battino will be joined by a prestigious international editorial board whose expertise will encompass all aspects of berry research. Editorial Board members will include such luminaries in the field as: Balz Frei, PhD, Director and Endowed Chair of the Linus Pauling Institute, Professor Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Corvallis, OR; Bruce I. Reisch, PhD, Professor of Horticultural Sciences, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; and Kevin M. Folta, PhD, Assistant Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
The Journal of Berry Research (http://www.iospress.nl/loadtop/load.php?isbn=18785093) will focus on four main areas of research and development: from genetics to variety evaluation; nursery productions systems and plant quality control; plant physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology and culture management; and health for consumers (components and factors affecting the nutritional value of berries).
Specifically, the Journal will cover berries (strawberry, cranberry, bilberry, blueberry, etc.), as well as grapes and small soft fruit in general (e.g., kiwi fruit). It will publish research results covering all areas of plant breeding, including plant genetics, genomics, functional genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, plant physiology, plant pathology and plant development, as well as results dealing with the chemistry and biochemistry of bioactive compounds contained in such fruits and their possible role in human health. Contributions detailing possible pharmacological, medical or therapeutic use or dietary significance will be welcomed in addition to studies regarding biosafety issues of genetically modified plants.
The Journal will feature reviews, research articles, brief communications, position papers, letters and patent updates.
"We are very excited about working in collaboration with Professor Battino and the world's leading investigators to launch the Journal of Berry Research," stated Einar Fredriksson, director of IOS Press. "Following the enormous success of two special issues on various aspects of berry research, we recognized that there is currently no outlet devoted specifically to the publication of scholarly research in this field. It is our vision that the Journal will serve the needs of researchers as well as producers, consumers and corporate interests."
Professor Battino has recently served as guest editor for a special issue of BioFactors: Vitamins - Autoregulatory Substances - Trace Elements - Growth Factors entitled EUROBERRY: Updates on Bioactive Behaviour of Berry Fruits. Published June 2009 by IOS Press, this update on the current status of berry research and production in Europe is the result of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program, Euroberry Research: from Genomics to Sustainable Production, Quality & Health. The program is designed to promote the integration of berry research, production systems, quality control, added nutritional value and consumer acceptance. The contributions highlight both the state of the art and suggestions for further work to be done during the remaining two years of the COST862 program.