Genetical Research first appeared in 1960 with a remit to publish papers covering the full spectrum of genetics as it was at that time. Since then genetics has permeated all aspects of biology to the point where a general genetics journal no longer best suits the field. In recognition of this, we are re-launching Genetical Research as Genetics Research, with a new editorial board, an additional executive editor, Shizhong Xu (University of California, Riverside), and a new cover design. We are delighted that Genetics Research should start with this special issue marking the outstanding contribution that Deborah Charlesworth has made to genetics.

We intend that Genetics Research will become a natural home for all aspects of the genetics of complex traits. This is an exciting and dynamic field that is benefiting from new methods and new data, and is one in which the journal has an established presence. Excellent papers in other areas of genetics will of course be welcome. Specifically, we should like the new journal to capture the emerging market for empirical and theoretical studies on evolutionary and population genetics, quantitative and statistical genetics, genomics and systems genetics, and molecular and developmental genetics. On the empirical side we shall encourage papers reporting studies that have broad implications using a range of organisms, from well-established genetic model organisms (flies, C. elegans, mice, yeast, Arabidopsis); agricultural species (cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, rice, maize, wheat) to humans. In addition to research articles the journal welcomes reviews that deal with any field within its scope.

We are introducing an on-line submission system (www.editorialmanager.com/genetics) to speed up the processing of manuscripts, and all papers must be submitted in this way from March of this year. Papers that have been accepted will appear on the journal web site (journals.cambridge.org/grh) as soon as corrected proofs have been approved. The open access policy of the publishers, Cambridge University Press, complies with the requirements of the UK Research Councils and the Wellcome Trust, NIH and NSF. Authors can choose to have their papers made freely available immediately via Cambridge Journals Online for a fee of £1500/$2700 (journals.cambridge.org/openoption). The current high production standards of the journal will of course be maintained, with free colour reproduction where required scientifically, and a free pdf of each article for the authors.

We hope that you share our enthusiasm for these developments and that you will submit your work to the journal, whether in the form of an original research paper, a short note, or a review. We look forward to hearing from you.