Meet the Editors | Interview with Prof. Marco Sebastiani— Section Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Immunology” in Journal of Clinical Medicine

1. Please briefly introduce yourself.

My name is Marco Sebastiani, professor of rheumatology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. For many years, I’ve been working in some fields of rheumatology, such as rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial lung disease associated to rheumatic diseases, videocapillaroscopy in diagnosis and the management of connective tissue diseases, and cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis.

2. What attracted you to science editing?

Science-editing was a new work opportunity for me. It was a challenge to try to increase my expertise in other scientific fields.

3. The Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM) is an open access journal. Can you explain your attitude toward open access? How do you think open access affects authors?

Open access is a good opportunity to increase the sharing and the diffusion of scientific progress. The authors can increase the visibility of their work. I frequently publish in open access journals, when I think that my work needs a large and rapid diffusion.

4. What are the current cutting-edge research areas in the field of immunology?

Immunology and rheumatology are experiencing a period of great research activity. The increase of knowledge in innate and acquired immunity, as well as in molecular mechanisms of inflammation, has allowed the discovery of new drugs and a better treatment of immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases. Moreover, in recent years, researchers have shown an increased interest in the lung’s involvement in rheumatic diseases; the development of new opportunities for treatment has induced research to search for new methods of screening and early diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.

5. What motivated you to join the JCM Editorial Board?

Journal of Clinical Medicine is a high-impact open access journal with an eminent Editorial Board. I accepted the opportunity to contribute to the journal and to collaborate with the other members of the Editorial Board with enthusiasm.

To work as a Section Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Immunology” is challenging, but rewarding, and it allows me to contribute to the development of the journal and keep up to date about all the activities of the journal.

6. How do you think COVID-19 affects medical research and publishing? Do you have any suggestions for the development of JCM during the epidemic period?

The appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic has determined a great increase in the research on this topic by researchers of many specialties, not only those with expertise in infectious disease and virology. The main side effect has been the stopping of many research projects in the first months of the pandemic. Now, COVID-19 continues to significantly impact the management of chronic and acute diseases; in this context, the interactions between the management of chronic diseases and the need for treatment and prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 infection can represent a topic to be explored in the coming months.