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EDITORIAL COMMENTARY

The inexorable rise of endocrinology in the 20^th century was based on the integration of knowledge from multiple scientific disciplines, with physiology, (bio)chemistry, genetics, immunology, molecular biology and, more recently, systems biology all leaving their mark. V C Medvei (1993) in his ‘History of Clinical Endocrinology’ cites Edward A Doisy’s 1936 definition of the ‘Four stages of endocrinology’:

1. Recognition of the gland or organ as one producing internal secretion.
   
2. Methods of detecting internal secretion.
   
3. Preparation of extracts leading to a purified hormone.
   
4. The isolation of the pure hormone, determination of its structure and its synthesis.
   

As a biomedical process, hormone science continues to race ahead, shedding new light on the causes and consequences of normal and abnormal cell-to-cell signalling and providing ever more effective molecular tools to improve health and tackle disease. Scrutiny of the centennial hormone science base reveals the emergence of a fifth stage of endocrinology:

Pathway biology. Mapping of the cellular receptor(s), down-stream signalling pathways and changes in gene expression through which hormones and related substances act on cellular targets.

This fifth force completes endocrinology’s evolution into a uniquely diverse and dynamic speciality, integrating many if not most of the molecules, mechanisms and medicines upon which post-genomic biomedicine is based. It is therefore fitting that the Journal of Endocrinology – as a premier international publication in the field – should celebrate this remarkable centenary with a series of cutting-edge articles presenting endocrinology as an interdisciplinary field that cuts across the life sciences and impacts heavily on global health and well being. Throughout 2005 we will publish a selection of specially commissioned, peer-reviewed articles scoping state-of-the-art endocrinology in its many different forms. The focus will be on basic and clinical research progress, real and anticipated. Some articles will be historical, others visionary; all will be authored by world-renowned specialists invited to showcase their own particular branch of the field.

This first Starling centennial issue of JOE is also Julian Davis’ first as the new Editor-in-Chief. In handing over the reins to Julian I thank him for all the support and comradery he has provided as Associate Editor over the past 5 years and wish him and his new Deputy Editor, Adrian Clark, the best of luck in taking things forward for the next 5 years. Exciting times in an exciting field –long may they continue.

Stephen G Hillier, Outgoing Editor-in-Chief

References

Starling EH 1905 Croonian Lecture: On the chemical correlation of the functions of the body I. Lancet 2 339–341.[CrossRef][Web of Science]

Medvei VC 1993 The History of Clinical Endocrinology: A Comprehensive Account of Endocrinology from Earliest Times to the Present Day, p 4. Carnforth: Parthenon Press

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