Abstract
Welcome to the first issue of SLAS Technology! This journal* begins its 22nd year of publication with a new name and tagline (Translating Life Sciences Innovation) that much more accurately reflect the breadth of scientific and technological breakthroughs published within it.
The SLAS journals and their readers have come a long way since Zymark’s laboratory robotic system opened the floodgates to a tidal wave of seemingly limitless scientific change. In the process, the best and the brightest members of the SLAS life sciences discovery and technology community began relying on this unique journal to stay informed and connected, as well as to maximize emerging technologies to build better mousetraps.
This trusted commitment to innovation is not changing. SLAS Technology’s editorial rigor, integrity, aims, and scope are remaining solidly and dependably in place:
SLAS Technology is a rigorously peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal devoted to the advancement of technology for conducting life sciences and biomedical R&D. It is an official journal of SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) and provides a unique international forum for the presentation of method-focused scientific reports. SLAS Technology emphasizes scientific and technical advances that enable and improve life sciences research and development, drug delivery, diagnostics, biomedical and molecular imaging, and personalized and precision medicine. This includes high-throughput and other laboratory automation technologies; micro/nanotechnologies; analytical, separation, and quantitative techniques; synthetic chemistry and biology; informatics (data analysis, statistics, bioinformatics, genomic and chemoinformatics); and more.
The decision to update the name of our journal is the result of a healthy process of reflection and reevaluation that was undertaken in response to the 2014 SLAS Strategic Plan. Over a 2-year period, two task forces were organized to address different phases of the strategic planning process for both SLAS scientific journals.
Performance trend data were analyzed along with input gathered from journal editors, editorial board members, authors, members of the SLAS Americas Council, SLAS Europe Council, and advertisers. It was clear that the titles of the SLAS journals no longer accurately reflected the work that was being published and, as a result, were limiting their prospects for recognition and growth.
The SLAS life sciences community thrives at the intersection of discovery and technology—ranging from basic research to applied research. SLAS’s two journals align directly along these axes, offering distinct yet complementary networks of knowledge.
SLAS Technology continues to focus on translating life sciences innovation, publishing ways in which scientists adapt advancements in technology for scientific exploration and experimentation; SLAS Discovery continues to focus on advancing life sciences R&D, publishing reports of how scientists develop and use novel technologies and/or approaches to provide and characterize chemical and biological tools to understand and treat human disease.
Whether you are a reader, author, reviewer, or editorial board member, you are a stakeholder whose needs, priorities, and vision define the editorial essence and excellence of this journal. We look forward to your continued partnership in the ongoing success of SLAS Technology.
