Pulmonology

Series edited by Paul W. Noble

In addition to the critical function of gas exchange, our lungs also serve as an important barrier between our bodies and the environment. The reviews in this series explore all aspects of the lung, from the developmental processes that generate the barrier, to the immune reactions that drive conditions like asthma, to the cell biology that underlies acute respiratory distress and pulmonary fibrosis. In a turn toward clinical medicine, this series also addresses how basic research has contributed to the development of new therapeutic strategies for pulmonary disease. Cover image credit: Shutterstock, Inc. Copyright: Sebastian Kaulitzki

Published August 2012

Neuroimmunology

Series edited by Lawrence Steinman

Hidden behind the blood brain and blood CSF barriers, the nervous system is often considered an area of immune privilege, lacking the surveillance system that guards the rest of our bodies against infection. However, the reviews in this series reveal that the immune and nervous systems are actually inextricably linked. In addition to physical connections, the two systems share common signaling molecules and pathways, and the mechanics of cell-cell interactions in both systems are remarkably similar. Disturbance of the immune system of the brain is linked to important human conditions like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Cover image credit: Photo Researchers

Published April 2012

Dermatology

Series edited by John R. Stanley

Though it's the first thing we see when we look at each other, the skin may be occasionally forgotten as a site of clinically important disease. The reviews in this series highlight our current understanding of several common dermatological conditions, and describe how research in the field has played a major role in expanding our understanding of the basic biology of stem cells and cancer. Correspondingly, basic research findings have led to new insights into dermatological disease, often with impact on therapeutic strategies. Cover image credit: John Seykora

Published February 2012

Sexually transmitted infections

Series edited by Anne Rompalo

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are major health problems worldwide, and despite identification of the causative agents and understanding of the mechanism of transmission, many have continued to grow in prevalence. Untreated, STIs may complicate pregnancy and fertility, lead to stillbirth, or result in chronic disease or death. Decades of research have offered glimpses into the pathophysiology of many of these diseases, but as the reviews in this series make clear, a deeper understanding of the natural history of infection, the molecular biology of the agents, and the environment of the hosts they invade will be necessary to achieve their control and eradication. Cover image credit: Thomas Quinn

Published December 2011

Breast Cancer Heterogeneity

Series edited by Kornelia Polyak

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women in the United States. However, as the Reviews in this series make clear, breast cancer is a group of heterogeneous diseases, with vastly different courses, prognoses, and outcomes. As technologies advance, we are rapidly approaching an integrated understanding of this family of cancers, from the tumor cell of origin and genetic alterations that license uncontrolled cell division, to the unique contributions of the surrounding non-cancerous tissue that can support or suppress growth. This research may improve the outlook for millions of patients by making more targeted therapies a reality.
Image credit: Vanessa Almendro.

Published October 2011

Obesity

Series edited by Rexford Ahima

The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 10 adults are obese, and as this epidemic expands world wide, the associated morbidities, including diabetes and heart disease, increase in prevalence as well. The reviews in this series make clear that obesity is a multi-organ, multi-system disease, with both genetic and environmental components. In addition, they highlight how recent breakthroughs in a variety of scientific fields – from an improved understanding the neural circuits that drive eating behavior to the identification of proteins that regulate fat storage- might lead to novel therapeutic strategies.

Published June 2011

Huntington Disease

Series edited by

Huntington disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which there is currently no effective therapy, despite the causative genetic defect that underlies the disease - a mutation in the huntingtin gene - being discovered almost two decades ago. The articles in this Review Series describe some of the recent advances in understanding HD at the molecular level and highlight some of the innovative therapeutic approaches that are moving towards the clinic, offering hope for families with this devastating disease.

Published February 2011

Pain

Series edited by Clifford J. Woolf

When we describe pain as burning, stabbing, or aching, do we really know what those sensations are? The reviews in this series describe the neurobiological basis of pain, including how signals are transmitted, received, and modulated, and how modern technology allows this process to be visualized. These articles also discuss what goes wrong in chronic pain syndromes, and how our understanding of the biology of pain can help direct the development of new analgesics.

Published November 2010

The Eye

Series edited by Lois Smith

The mammalian eye is a markedly complex organ, and disruption of normal cell physiology at any of a number of levels may result in a devastating loss of vision. In recent years, ophthalmology research has advanced our understanding of fields as diverse as development, aging, immunology, and cancer. The articles in this series review this progress and highlight how the unique biology of the eye has allowed rapid advances in the areas of gene therapy and stem cell research.

Published September 2010

Reproductive Biology

Series edited by Sudhansu Dey

In placental mammals, sexual reproduction is a highly complex and tightly controlled process that begins with germ cell development and ends with the birth of live young. The articles in this series comprise an overview of our current understanding of many of the events crucial to sexual reproduction in placental mammals and point to some of the ways forward to moving from “bench-to-bedside” to enhance pregnancy success rates in fertility clinics.

Published April 2010