We are pleased to bring you an early "sneak-preview" research article and related commentary that showcases the broad-reaching content that will be featured in this new journal. All PLoS content is freely available online for you to use and share in any way you choose, and the copyright remains where it belongs—with the author.
Research Article: Genetic Selection of Low Fertile Onchocerca volvulus by Ivermectin Treatment by Catherine Bourguinat et al. Researchers study genetic changes in Onchocerca volvulus following exposure to ivermectin, the primary treatment for onchocerciasis (river blindness). This article shows that long-term treatment selects for the heterozygotic form of β-tubulin, the gene linked to ivermectin resistance.
Expert Commentary: Ivermectin Resistance in Onchocerca volvulus—Toward a Genetic Basis by Sara Lustigman and James McCarter. Two leading experts set the above-mentioned research article in context, explaining the background to the study, its strengths and limitations, and the importance of these findings to onchocerciasis control programs.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (Editor-in-Chief Peter Hotez) will focus on the scientific, medical, and public-health aspects of these forgotten diseases affecting the world’s forgotten people. Authors and readers will benefit from:
The 2007 launch of PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases is supported by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
See it on SciVee: Ten Simple Rules for Getting Published
Philip E Bourne
PLoS Computational Biology 2005 1(5):e57
SciVee, a web-based initiative that allows scientists to upload video and audio presentations or commentary about the content of published articles in scholarly journals. Dubbed the “YouTube” for Scientists, SciVee is not just an innovative means to disseminate science—it is also pure evidence of the power of open access and what can be done when journal content is available in full.
Scientific Research Is an International Endeavor
PLoS Computational Biology begins a series of Perspective articles from computational biologists from a variety of countries
In a series entitled “Developing Computational Biology” PLoS Computational Biology will shed light on the pursuit of scientific endeavors around the world. Each country has unique features in areas from educational programs, types of research being undertaken and the ways that research is funded. For this series, the authors were asked to describe the specific challenges they have faced, their perceived strengths, as well as to discuss the institutions (government and private), opportunities, and difficulties of computational biology in their country as a whole. The series starts with a perspective on Computational Biology in Mexico, followed by contributions about Cuba, Brazil, China and South Africa.