Gene & Protein in Disease (GPD) is pleased to present the Editor’s Choice Articles in 2024. Editor’s Choice Articles are based on the recommendations of the GPD editorial team from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles published in GPD that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or otherwise important in the respective research area. The aim in highlighting and promoting this research is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various topical areas of Gene and Protein in Disease. “Advancing CRISPR technologies in reproductive biology” by Shiza Hanif, Hamid Nawaz, Ali Afzal, Umair Ali Khan Saddozai4, Muhammad Babar Khawar, Xinying Ji GPD 2024, 3(1), 2701; https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.2701 Available online: https://accscience.com/journal/GPD/3/1/10.36922/gpd.2701   “Decoding and understanding molecular mechanisms: Cell signaling pathways, pancreatic β-cell regeneration, and stem cell niche engineering for diabetes” by Rajiv Kumar, Gerardo Caruso GPD 2024, 3(2), 2996; https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.2996 Available online: https://accscience.com/journal/GPD/3/2/10.36922/gpd.2996   “Hydrogen sulfide ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice” by Hanyue Zhuang , Jiangzhe Si, Zewei Yang, Waner Wang, Zimo Ge, Yuhan Wang , Jingjing Li , Na Chen, Tieshan Teng GPD 2024, 3(3), 3409; https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.3409 Available online: https://accscience.com/journal/GPD/3/3/10.36922/gpd.3409   “Identification of stress-induced epigenetic methylation onto dopamine D2 gene and neurological and behavioral consequences” by Kenneth Blum , Abdalla Bowirrat , David Baron, Igor Elman, Milan T. Makale, Jean Lud Cadet, Panayotis K. Thanos, Colin Hanna, Rania Ahmed, Marjorie C. Gondre-Lewis, Catherine A. Dennen, Eric R. Braverman, Diwanshu Soni, Paul Carney, Jag Khalsa, Edward J. Modestino, Debmalya Barh, Debasis Bagchi, Rajendra D. Badgaiyan, Thomas McLaughlin, Rene Cortese, Mauro Ceccanti, Kevin T. Murphy, Ashim Gupta, Miles T. Makale, Keerthy Sunder, Mark S. Gold GPD 2024, 3(1), 1966; https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.1966 Available online: https://accscience.com/journal/GPD/3/2/10.36922/gpd.1966   “Association between dietary soy prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and normalization of placental insulin and insulin-like growth factor signaling networks and downstream effector molecule expression” by Fusun Gundogan, Ming Tong, Suzanne M. de la Monte GPD 2024, 3(2), 3113; https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.3113 Available online: https://accscience.com/journal/GPD/3/2/10.36922/gpd.3113   “Establishment of a myostatin gene-knockout C2C12 cell line and evaluation of related microRNA expression” by Shaoting Weng, Kaiqi Lian, Kunpeng Zhang, Shengming Ma, Wenhui Zhang, Zhongyi Luo , Ruifeng Chen, Liqiang Wang, Sen Lin, Xinying Ji, Yao Wang GPD 2024, 3(2), 2991; https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.2991 Available online: https://accscience.com/journal/GPD/3/2/10.36922/gpd.2991   “High expression of apoptosis-related LMNB2 predicts an unfavorable outcome: A potential prognostic biomarker for liposarcoma” by Xinyu Li, Jialin Wu, Man Yue, Mengwen Hou, Jiayang Han, Binbin Zhao, Tiantian Sun, Xu Han, Guangchao Liu, Kaifeng Zhang, Tinggai Wu, Ting Ye, Mengjie Tu, Yang An GPD 2024, 3(1), 2607; https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.2607 Available online: https://accscience.com/journal/GPD/3/1/10.36922/gpd.2607   We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the research groups that submitted to Gene & Protein in Disease. We would appreciate it if you could circulate this document among your colleagues and network. Furthermore, the following opportunities for collaboration may be of interest: Submitting a manuscript:This journal is currently open for submissions. Papers may be submitted via the following link: https://accscience.com/user/manuscripts/submission?journal_name=GPD Launching a Special Issue:You have the opportunity to propose hot topics and edit a Special Issue together with experts in the field: https://accscience.com/journalproposal/sendproposalspecialissue/GPD Joining the Editorial Board:If you are an active and experienced researcher in the field of Gene and Protein in Disease and are interested in joining the Editorial Board, please do not hesitate to contact the Gene and Protein in Disease Editorial Office (gpd.office@accscience.sg) with the following two files attached: A full academic CV; A short cover letter that details your interest and enthusiasm for the position. Gene and Protein in Disease Editorial Office

The International Webinar Cum Workshop on "Recent Developments in Applied Biotechnology (RDAB-2024)" will serve as a pivotal platform for global experts, researchers, and industry professionals to converge and discuss cutting-edge advancements in the field of Biotechnology. The event will feature keynote addresses from renowned scientists and thought leaders, providing insights into groundbreaking research and applications spanning various domains of Applied Biotechnology. Sessions will be meticulously curated to cover Biotechnology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics. The webinar format will enable seamless participation from a global audience, promoting cross-cultural dialogue and the exchange of diverse perspectives. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, RDAB-2024 will showcase the transformative potential of Applied Biotechnology and will underscore the importance of continuous innovation in addressing global challenges through scientific advancements. Moreover, RDAB-2024 will facilitate interactive online training on various bioinformatics tools and software on Molecular Docking and Simulation where attendees could engage in hands-on learning experiences, enhancing their practical skills and understanding of emerging techniques in research. Conference Link: https://rdab2024.iiita.ac.in/ ORGANIZERS Chief Patron Prof. Mukul Sharad Sutaone Director, IIIT Allahabad Chairperson Dr. Pramod Kumar HOD, Dept. of Applied Science, IIIT Allahabad CO-ORGANIZER Gene & Protein in Disease (GPD) REGISTRATION Click here to register  Proceed to register after payment is done (payment details given below)

About the Congress The European Association for Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine (EPMA) is the world leader in Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine (PPPM) innovation. The EPMA was founded in 2009 to cover particular deficits in medical sciences and healthcare. The main objective of the EPMA is to promote the paradigm change from delayed reactive medical services to evidence-based Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine as an integrated science and healthcare practice. Every two years, the EPMA organises a World Congress gathering scientists, health professionals, industry, patient organisations, etc. in 55 countries on all continents of the world. Refer to www.epmanet.eu for more information about EPMA. On 1st -6th September, the EPMA World Congress 2024 will be held in a hybrid (in-person and online) model. The Congress will support multi-professional international cooperation following PPPM concepts, namely predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention and personalised treatments in primary, secondary and tertiary care. Shantou University Medical College will be hosting the Congress in Shantou, China, while the Edith Cowan University will organise and perform the online sessions using Microsoft Teams. The official language of the Congress will be English. Conference Link: https://epma2024.med.stu.edu.cn/index.html Organized By Host: Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China (in-person) Co-host: Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia (online)    

Gene & Protein in Disease (GPD) journal is honored to have William Cho, as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal. In this interview. Dr. Cho shared his visions for GPD, as well as his thoughts and suggestions for the journal. Interview content Q1: Would you please do a self-introduction? I have primarily focused my research on cancer studies with the aim of identifying biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, treatment prediction, and prognosis. As an experienced researcher, I have employed various disciplines such as molecular biology, proteomics, genomics, immunology, bioinformatics, and Chinese medicine to conduct my cancer research. I am proud to have contributed over 600 peer-reviewed SCI papers to journals including Lancet, Lancet Oncology, Annals of Oncology, Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Advanced Science, Nature Communications, Science Advances, PNAS, Molecular Cancer, Journal of Thoracic Oncology, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, Clinical Cancer Research, Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, Theranostics, etc, among others. These publications cover a wide range of topics including cancer biomarkers, proteomics, non-coding RNAs, extracellular vesicles, and Chinese medicine. Additionally, I have authored a number of books, including "MicroRNAs in Cancer Translational Research", "An Omics Perspective on Cancer Research", "Supportive Cancer Care with Chinese Medicine", and "Drug Repurposing in Cancer Therapy: Approaches and Applications", to name a few. I’m listed as one of the top 2% of most influential scientists in the world since 2017. Recently, I’m also listed in the Highly Cited Researchers in 2023 by Clarivate (there are 6,849 top researchers in the world in this list). Q2: Could you give us a brief description of your research that is currently under way? I pursue cancer research, especially on cancer biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment response as well as prognostications. Currently, I’m using genomics technologies in studying colorectal cancer, brain tumor and lung cancer. Besides, drug repurposing is another interesting area of my favor. Q3: What do you think of GDP differ with other journals in this field? How to build a competitive advantage journal? Unique Focus: Our journal focuses on both genes and proteins in various diseases. This ranges from basic research towards preclinical and translational research. In technologies, these areas are blooming, there are interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge developments in this area. Rigorous Peer-Review: We demand a robust, high-quality peer-review process to ensure the publication meets the highest standards. Fast Turnaround: Minimize review and publication timelines to provide authors with a quicker path to disseminating their work. Visibility and Discoverability: Optimize the journal's online presence, indexing, and marketing to improve its visibility and discoverability for researchers. Added Value Features: Offer value-added features like data repositories, multimedia content, commentary/discussion sections, etc. to enhance the reader experience. Ethical Standards: Maintain the highest ethical standards in publishing to build trust and credibility. Q4: Could you share with us for some ideas and suggestions to promote the development of GPD? Strengthen the Editorial Board: Recruit respected, influential researchers in the field to serve on the editorial board. This can help attract high-quality submissions and increase the journal's credibility. Enhance Online Presence: Invest in the journal's website, making it visually appealing, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines. Incorporate multimedia content, data repositories, and interactive features. Improve Indexing and Visibility: Ensure the journal is indexed in major academic databases and search engines to improve discoverability. Actively promote the journal at conferences and through relevant academic networks. Leverage Social Media: Utilize social media platforms to share journal updates, promote new articles, and engage with the research community. Foster Partnerships: Explore collaborations with relevant professional societies, research institutions, or other journals to cross-promote and expand the journal's reach. Continuously Improve the Review Process: Streamline the peer-review process to ensure timely, high-quality feedback to authors. Q5: Could you share with us about the concrete measures on improving the cohesion of the journal editorial board team? Clearly Define Roles and Responsibilities: Ensure each editorial board member has a well-defined role and set of responsibilities within the board. Establish clear guidelines and expectations for their involvement and contribution. Foster Regular Communication: Implement a schedule of regular editorial board meetings (in-person). Encourage open and transparent communication among the board members. Provide updates on the journal's performance, goals, and strategic initiatives. Encourage Collaborative Initiatives: Identify opportunities for the editorial board to work together on special projects or new journal features. Facilitate brainstorming sessions to generate ideas for improving the journal. Delegate specific tasks and initiatives to subgroups of the board. Recognize and Appreciate Contributions: Publicly acknowledge and appreciate the efforts and contributions of individual board members. Consider implementing a system of awards or recognition for outstanding service. Continuously Evaluate and Refresh the Board: Regularly review the composition and expertise of the editorial board. Identify any gaps or areas that could be strengthened through new board member recruitment. Establish a process for rotating or replacing board members to bring in fresh perspectives. Foster a Sense of Ownership and Commitment: Encourage editorial board members to feel a sense of ownership and investment in the journal's success. Emphasize the importance of their individual and collective contributions. Q6: As an editor, what do you look for most when deciding whether a paper can be published in a journal? Novelty and Significance: Is the research question novel and fills a gap in the current knowledge? Does the work make a meaningful contribution to the field? Are the findings significant and impactful? Methodological Rigor: Are the research methods sound, well-designed, and appropriately applied? Is the data collection, analysis, and interpretation robust and reliable? Do the conclusions logically follow from the presented evidence? Clarity and Coherence: Is the manuscript well-organized, with a clear and logical flow? Are the writing style, language, and presentation of information clear and accessible? Do the figures, tables, and supplementary materials effectively support the narrative? Fit with Journal Scope and Readership: Does the manuscript align with the journal's scope, aims, and target audience? Will the paper be of interest and relevance to the journal's readership? Does the work complement the existing content published in the journal? Potential Impact and Audience: What is the likely impact and reach of the research findings? Will the paper attract attention and generate discussion within the scientific community? Does the work have the potential to influence future research or clinical practice? Overall Quality and Presentation: Is the manuscript well-written, with minimal typographical or grammatical errors? Are the figures and tables clear, informative, and appropriately formatted?• Have the authors followed the journal's formatting and submission guidelines? Q7: Could you recommend 1-2 current hot topics related to GPD? Precision Medicine and Pharmacogenomics: The integration of genomic information to guide personalized treatment and drug selection for specific patient populations. Investigating the genetic and molecular factors that influence an individual's response to drugs, and how this can be leveraged to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Epigenetic Modifications in Disease: Exploring the role of epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, in the development and progression of various diseases. Elucidating how epigenetic alterations can be used as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Gene-Environment Interactions in Disease Pathogenesis: Understanding how the interplay between genetic factors and environmental influences (e.g., diet, lifestyle, toxins) contributes to the development and manifestation of complex diseases. Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying these gene-environment interactions. Advances in Genome Editing Technologies: Exploring the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 and other genome editing tools for correcting genetic defects and treating genetic disorders. Addressing the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding the application of these technologies. Multi-Omics Approaches in Disease Research: Integrating and analyzing data from various "omics" technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to gain a more comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms. Developing novel bioinformatics and computational methods to extract insights from these large, complex datasets. Thanks to Dr. William Cho for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend the interview with editorial department of GPD, and providing support and suggestions for the development of the journal. Here, we sincerely wish Dr. Cho every success in his scientific research. Gene & Protein in Disease Editorial Office 4th July 2024

With the continuous growth of the journal and the demand for high quality articles, Gene & Protein in Disease is now recruiting the Editor-in-Chief worldwide through self-recommendation and selection by the Editorial Board. Who Are We? Gene & Protein in Disease(GPD) is an international, peer-reviewed, gold open access journal. It publishes rigorously peer-reviewed and high-quality original articles and authoritative reviews that focus on the latest development in multidisciplinary areas in biology and biomedicine, with an emphasis on gene and protein research. Who are we looking for? Scholars full of academic enthusiasm and committed to the publishing career. Qualifications: 1: Researchers who have efficient execution and publish no less than 15 articles per year.2: A high academic standing in related research fields.3: Highly cited researchers are preferred. What are the responsibilities? 1: To strictly review and evaluate all manuscripts to ensure the quality of manuscripts for the journal2: To invite or recommend high-quality papers for the journal according to the annual target tasks3: To plan and organize annual editorial board meetings and formulate the annual development strategy of the journal4: To promote the journal and enhance its public profile How to apply? If you are interested in joining the GPD Editorial Board, please send the application and CV to gpd.office@accscience.sg by Sep 30, 2024. The Editorial Office of the journal will contact you once the application has been approved.

On March 1, 2024,  Gene & Protein in Disease (GPD, Online ISSN: 2811-003X) was included in the esteemed database, Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS). This achievement stands as a significant milestone for our journal since its inception in 2022, signifying a remarkable acknowledgment of GPD within the global academic community. The CAS database is founded in 1907 as a volunteer effort to organize published chemistry research, CAS officially became a self-supporting division of the American Chemical Society in 1956. CAS is widely acknowledged as the most comprehensive and authoritative source of chemical and scientific research. CAS provides access to over 150 million records from over 100 countries, including patents, scientific articles, and conference proceedings. Please click here to learn more about CAS: https://www.cas.org/. The editorial team at GPD extends heartfelt gratitude to all esteemed members of the editorial board whose contributions have been instrumental in steering the journal's growth. We extend our appreciation to authors, reviewers, and readers alike for their unwavering support and profound engagement with the journal. Our pledge to provide a valuable platform for groundbreaking Gene and Protein research remains unwavering, underscored by our dedication to upholding the highest standards of publishing integrity. It is our aspiration to ascend as a premier international academic journal. GPD will continue to uphold rigorous academic standards while publishing more high-quality articles, thereby improving our academic eminence and impact. These efforts are aimed at making greater contributions to academic research and technological innovation.

  The 4th International Conference on Biomedicine and Bioinformatics Engineering (ICBBE 2024) is scheduled to held in Kaifeng, China on June 14-16, 2024. Sponsored by Henan University, ICBBE 2024 mainly focuses on Biomedicine and Bioinformatics Engineering. The conference aims at providing a platform for innovative academics, experts, engineers and students in the field of "Biomedical Imaging and Sensing", "Bioinformatics Approaches" and "Biophotonic Devices and Materials" to exchange new ideas and share research results. During the conference, we will make discussions about the trends of the latest development in related areas and make efforts to bridge the gap between R&D results and industrial applications. The purpose is to explore the key challenges and research directions in the development of Biomedicine and Bioinformatics Engineering, with a view to promoting the development and application of theories and technologies in universities and enterprises, and to establish business or research relationship for the participants, as well as to find future business partners. The conference invites domestic and foreign universities, research institutions experts, scholars, business people and other relevant personnel to attend. The participants can not only listen to the wonderful reports of well-known experts at home and abroad, but also have a face-to-face opportunity to discuss with experts and scholars from all over the world. Conference Link: www.ic-bbe.org Sponsor Organized By Supported By

We are pleased to announce that Gene & Protein in Disease (GPD, Online ISSN: ISSN: 2811-003X, Publisher: AccScience Publishing) has been listed as a journal that follows the editorial recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) on Octomber 27, 2023 (http://icmje.acponline.org/journals-following-the-icmje-recommendations/). The ICMJE is a small working group of general medical journal editors and representatives of selected related organizations working together to improve the quality of medical science and its reporting. In Oct 2023, under the application of GPD, the ICMJE listed GPD as a journal that follows the ICMJE's Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals. This gave us great encouragement and confidence to develop GPD as a premier, desirable, and transparent international platform for the molecular and translational medicine. As an academic publishing platform, GPD will continuously comply with the guidelines of Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and ICMJE, and endeavor to publish more valuable and scientific research findings to promote scientific innovation.

Gene & Protein in Disease Editorial Board - Prof. Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Prof. William Cho and Prof. Giampaolo Merlini - were Selected as Clarivate’s 2023 Global "Highly Cited Researchers"! Please note that the order in which the Editors appear on this page is alphabetical. Prof.  Nicola Luigi Bragazzi Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of York, Toronto, Canada Interests: public health; epidemiology; infectious disorders; vaccination   Prof.  William Cho Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Hong Kong, China Interests: Genomics; Proteomics; Drug Repurposing and Bioinformatics; Next-Generation Sequencing; Cancer Biomarker; Evidence-based Medicine; Extracellular Vesicles; MicroRNA; Molecular Diagnostics; Non-coding RNAs; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Non-small Cell Lung Cancer   Prof.  Giampaolo Merlini Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy Interests: amyloidosis; renal biopsy; autoinflammatory diseases; pathology, serum; multiple myeloma; rheumatoid arthritis; chemotherapy; oncology; hematology Source: https://clarivate.com/highly-cited-researchers/

Dialogue with Professor Liang-Jun Yan, Associate Editor of Gene & Protein in Disease Journal | ASP Exclusive Interview In this interview, Gene & Protein in Disease (GPD) journal is honored to have Professor Liang-Jun Yan, the Associate Editor of the Journal and professor at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, United States. In this interview, Professor Liang-Jun Yan shares his vision for GPD, as well as his thoughts, suggestions and plans for the success of the journal. Interview Profile Prof. Liang-Jun Yan University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, United States Prof. Liang-Jun Yan is currently working at University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, United States. Kenneth is involved in Diabetes,Redox Biochemistry, Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress, Acute Kidney Injury  and Chronic Kidney Disease. Interview content GPD Editorial Office:  Would you please do a self-introduction? Prof. Liang-Jun Yan: I did my undergraduate study majoring in Biochemistry at Peking University. This was followed by a master degree from the Institute of Biophysics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences. I then earned my Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. GPD Editorial Office: Could you give us a brief description of your research that is currently under way? Prof. Liang-Jun Yan: We study oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and aging-related disease. In particular, we focus on the beneficial mechanisms of oxidative stress and redox imbalance that may turn out to be therapeutic targets. Our current projects are focused on kidney aging and injuries including diabetic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. GPD Editorial Office: What do you think of GPD differ with other journals in this field? Prof. Liang-Jun Yan: Well, GPD is a newly launched journal and thus is a new player in the biomedical Science. The title of the journal seems to indicate that the journal may be not a good avenue for studies on carbohydrates and lipids. Otherwise, I can’t point out any differences between GPD and other journals that are older than GPD. GPD Editorial Office:  Could you share with us for some ideas and suggestions to promote the development of GPD? Prof. Liang-Jun Yan: It is always a challenge for a newly launched journal. I think invitation for manuscript submission by editorial board members of GPD would be a good approach. Waive or discount of publication fees would be another approach. GPD Editorial Office: : Could you share with us about the concrete measures and guiding principle for being indexed by Science Citation Index (SCI) for GPD? Prof. Liang-Jun Yan: Getting indexed by SCI takes time and there is no short cut. I would say rigorous reviews by at least two reviewers for any submitted manuscript could ensure quality control. Additionally, publication of excellent review articles would also help tremendously. GPD Editorial Office: : As an editor, what do you look for most when deciding whether a paper can be published in a journal? Prof. Liang-Jun Yan: Whether the conclusion is supported by solid data collected by methods that are reproducible. GPD Editorial Office: :Could you recommend 1-2 current hot topics related to GPD? Prof. Liang-Jun Yan: I could only suggest in the area of my research. I think oxidative stress-related genes and proteins that are beneficial for health or for therapeutical purposes should be one focus. Examples are heat shock proteins and their encoding genes. Thanks to Prof. Liang-Jun Yan for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend the interview with editorial department of GPD, and providing support and suggestions for the development of the journal. Here, we sincerely wish Prof. Yan every success in his scientific research.    

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative, the Special Issue Mentor Program. This program intends to provide an opportunity for early career scientists (new faculty, postdoc graduate students, etc.) to enhance their editing, networking, and organizational skills, and to work closely with our journal to gain more editorial experience. Early career scientists who have novel ideas for new /GPD/ Special Issues will act as Guest Editors under the mentorship of an experienced scientist; this mentor could be a member from well-established research institutes or laboratories, etc. If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your Special Issue proposal to the /GPD/ Editorial Office (gpd.office@accscience.sg), and we will discuss the process (i.e., mentor collaboration, Special Issue topic feasibility analysis, etc.) in further detail. In addition to the new Special Issue Mentor Program, /GPD/ will continually welcome all Special Issue proposals based on hot research topics as usual.

Dialogue with Professor Kenneth Blum, Associate Editor of Gene & Protein in Disease Journal | ASP Exclusive Interview In this interview, Gene & Protein in Disease (GPD) journal is honored to have Professor Kenneth Blum, the Associate Editor of the Journal and professor at the Western University of Health Sciences, Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise& Mental Health, USA. In this interview, Professor Kenneth Blum shares his vision for GPD, as well as his thoughts, suggestions and plans for the success of the journal, especially its inclusion in the Science Citation Index (SCI). Interview Profile Prof. Kenneth Blum Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States Prof. Kenneth Blum is currently working at Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States. Kenneth is involved in Genetics of Alcoholism, Nutritional Genetics, Pharmacogenetics, Neuropsychiatry, Neuropharmacology and Epigenetics.   Interview content GPD Editorial Office: Could you give us a little introduction to yourself? Prof. Kenneth Blum: Yes. It would be my pleasure. I graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor's in science in pharmacy. I then went to Seton Hall College of Medicine, that turned out to be New Jersey College of Medicine, where I got a master's degree in health Sciences. Then I went to New York Medical College then I went to New York medical college and I got a PhD in neuropharmacology. And I was also at Colorado University. I got a fellowship in genetics, and I've been doing research on substance use disorders and other behavioral addictions since 1964. GPD Editorial Office: Fantastic. Could you give us a brief description of your research that's currently underway? Prof. Kenneth Blum: Well, my research for years has been looking at the genetics and the epigenetics, potentially of all addictive behaviors, both drugs and non-drugs like gambling and other behavioral addictions. Currently, we're working with a group out of California, Kevin Murthy, Milan Makale, Keerthy Sunder's group, on the idea of using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in a personalized EEG induced signature for different types of addiction, psychiatry in general, PTSD, even trauma. So, this is one of the things we're working on. The second thing we're working on is we're looking at gene editing, the reward genes in the brain, to quote a big word, "cure" all addictive behaviors. GPD Editorial Office: That's great. What do you think of GPD as being different from other journals in this field? Prof. Kenneth Blum: Well, it's not so much different. There are so many journals in the field these days, and they all trying to do a good job. I think one thing that stood out is why I decided to join the editorial board of the journal was actually the title/Genes & Proteins in Disease/. I mean, what better way to understand what's going on with all addictive behaviors is to look at the genetics, look at the epigenetics, and then, of course, look at the therapeutics thereof involving proteins and disease. So, I think it's not so much different. It's what the focus of the journal is about. And of course, the entire publishing entity really worries about barriers in publishing involving fees and other such matters. GPD Editorial Office: That's great. Could you share with us for some ideas and suggestions to promote the development of GPD? Prof. Kenneth Blum: Well, it's very difficult in terms of promotion, and what we mean by that is that all journals are seeking to get high quality papers. One of the most important ways is to have a good editorial board. The other important way is to be involved with social media and to promote it through social media. But in terms of the scientific community, the thing is to make sure that people understand that there's a rigorous peer review for that particular journal and that it's going to try to keep up the quality of the papers that actually get published. So, it's a matter of bringing in high quality papers, rejecting those papers that are not high quality, and promoting the fact that the journal is doing a highly intellectual job in making the experience really worthwhile for the authors. GPD Editorial Office: Well said. Could you share with us about the concrete measures and guiding principle for being indexed by Science Citation Index (SCI) for GPD? Prof. Kenneth Blum: Well, the Science Citation Index is very important and most authors, when they look for a journal, they want to make sure that the journal has an impact factor and actually that are in good databases such as Citation Index. Gaining the impact factor is not an easy task, especially for a new journal. But that is the goal. And once you get an impact factor, even if it's low, as long as its official, people begin to respect the journal. So, it's very important to make sure that the journal, in the early days, actually looks at timelines. Make sure that they fill issues with at least five papers per issue, and they have a good track record for a couple of years that they actually were able to publish enough papers to have them be secure in the delivery of the publication on a timely basis. With high quality papers, of course. GPD Editorial Office: So, on that note, as an editor, what do you look for most when deciding whether a paper can be published in a journal? Prof. Kenneth Blum: Well, the first thing is the idea of peer review was not the idea to punish the authors, the idea of peer review was to help them and improve the manuscript. Now, I have published over 700 peer review papers in my career and I've sometimes received very strange peer reviews that we didn't like at all, but we had to fight and get it done. Most authors would appreciate actual criticisms that can be translated to bring about transformation of the paper and making it a much stronger paper. So, I think that's one important thing. The other important thing is that all the I's dotted the T's across and you got a really very solid publication. Whether it is a case study or an original paper or review, it has to be full of scholarly remarks that has contribution that each paper should have contribution to the field over and beyond what's been in the field in the past. GPD Editorial Office: Could you recommend 1-2 current hot topics related to GPD? Prof. Kenneth Blum: Well, one of them that I think is very important, of course it's up my alley is the whole idea of trying to utilize genetic testing. Whether it is GWAS which then gets converged to candidate genes and all of addiction psychiatry, the more we understand the genetics and whether it's the predisposition of DNA antecedents or whether it is epigenetic insults that affect transcription through messenger RNA, you need to have both of these kinds of genetic assessments. So, the hot topic would be the general addiction screening with very reliable and accurate genetic testing. The second important topic is the whole idea of pre-addiction. And pre-addiction is now a hot topic that was developed by McLellan, Koob and Volkow, basically saying that we need to get earlier identification of people that possess DNA antecedents. For example, these DNA antecedents are actually insulted by environmental epigenetics. But we have to find ways to assess pre-addiction before the addiction begins. So, in my looking at this topic, we're very excited about suggesting that the genetics of addiction can be measured by a DNA test called Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) and screening people for early identification (vulnerability) is a  hot topic. Thanks to Prof. Kenneth Blum for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend the interview with editorial department of GPD, and providing support and suggestions for the development of the journal. Here, we sincerely wish Prof. Blum every success in his scientific research. Appendix:  Please click the link below to view the original Exclusive Interview edio https://www.veed.io/view/3729e43b-6b6c-41a9-8bfd-50bf14f8e831?panel=share  

Gene & Protein in Disease (ISSN: 2811-003X) publishes rigorously peer-reviewed and high-quality original articles and authoritative reviews that focus on the latest development in multidisciplinary areas in biology and biomedicine, with an emphasis on gene and protein research. Now we are currently looking for new 1-2 Associate Editors for our journal. This is an opportunity to exchange with and learn from experts in the same field. As you may know, GPD is an international journal for molecular and translational medicine, published quarterly online by AccScience Publishing. It was launched in 2022 and has published 4 issues so far. It is covered by the Google Scholar, J-Gate, Crossref, Scilit and aims to be indexed by world-recognized databases, for example, Scopus, Singapore Book Publishers Association, PubMed and Web of Science. We have already established a very good Editorial Board: https://accscience.com/journal/GPD/about/editorial_board We encourage applications from researchers with a background in a range of subject areas (https://accscience.com/journal/GPD/about/aims_scope). Should you decide to serve on this position, you would be responsible for some of the following tasks depending on your availability: -Assisting the Editor-in-Chief in journal management;- Inviting additional scientists to join the Editorial Board;- Recommending timely topics and suggesting potential guest editors;- Publishing one paper per year, free of charge, in open access; - Promoting the journal. As we provide a low-cost publishing service in open access format, we unfortunately cannot additionally pay an honorarium. The term of the Associate Editor membership is two years and could then be renewed. We believe that your expertise together with our rigorous editorial policies can build a high-standard journal specifically dedicated to Gene and Protein research. If you are interested in becoming an Associate Editor for GPD, please send your full academic CV and a short cover letter that details your interest and enthusiasm for the position to gpd.office@accscience.sg <gpd.office@accscience.sg>, before 30th Sep 2023. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Gene & Protein in Disease Editorial Office

Gene & Protein in Disease (ISSN: 2811-003X) publishes rigorously peer-reviewed and high-quality original articles and authoritative reviews that focus on the latest development in multidisciplinary areas in biology and biomedicine, with an emphasis on gene and protein research. If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact us about joining the board and contributing to the journal. https://accscience.com/journal/GPD The journal has worldwide authorship, and a broad scope in basic and translational biomedical research of genetics, biochemistry, biophysics, oncology, immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, microbiology, neuroscience, stem cell, protein science, structural biology, regenerative medicine and translational medicine. This position is open to experts in all aspects of gene and protein research. To apply for this position, recommend potential candidates or request further information, please contact Juliana Meng (juliana.meng@accscience.com) from the Gene & Protein in Disease Editorial Office.