We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Jürg Bähler has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of the “Molecular Genetics” Section in Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X).

Name: Prof. Dr. Jürg Bähler

Affiliation: Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment and Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

Interests: gene regulation; genomics; transcriptomics; non-coding RNAs; genome function and evolution; fission yeast; cellular quiescence and aging

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Jürg Bähler:

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role as its Section Editor-in-Chief?
   Biomolecules make rapid decisions on submitted manuscripts without compromising on scrutiny and peer-review quality.
2. What is your vision for the journal?
   To further increase the quality, rather than quantity, of published papers in a broad range of topics.
3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
   The advances in genome editing, like CRISPR/Cas9, are now enabling molecular genetic approaches in many different organisms, beyond the traditional model organisms. Other technological advances are allowing more and more types of large-scale or single-cell analyses. These developments will provide many fresh insights into gene function, genetic diversity, and molecular processes contributing to phenotypes.
4. What do you think of the development of Open Access in the publishing field?
   It makes no sense to restrict access to scientific publications behind paywalls, and Open Access publishing is a positive development to maximize scientific progress.

We extend a warm welcome to Prof. Dr. Jürg Bähler as he starts his new role as the Section Editor-in-Chief, and we look forward to him leading Biomolecules to achieve many more milestones.

Biomolecules Editorial Office