Articles, Microscopy 101 contributions, and opinion pieces for Microscopy Today come from a variety of sources. I would like to think this is an indication of the reach of this magazine. For example, this issue contains articles from small and large companies, a hospital, an art museum, an independent consultant, university departments, and two emeritus professors. The richness and variety of these contributed articles shows our readership new techniques, adaptations of established techniques, and applications of microscopy to a number of disciplines.

Articles for Microscopy Today are not difficult to create. Typically our articles are about 2,000 words plus 4 to 6 figures plus a few references. Each article has an introduction aimed at a level such that any microscopist in any discipline can understand it. The article then may give experimental details, results, and discussion of the results. While these sections have headings similar to peer-reviewed research papers, our emphasis on brevity makes for easy reading. Sometimes a brief summary in Microscopy Today of research work previously published in a peer-reviewed journal can lead to more downloads and citations of the original work because this magazine is mailed to over 18,000 microscopists.

In addition to descriptions of new techniques and applications, this magazine provides hints and tips, protocols new and old, and opinions by microscopists who wish to see improvements in our field and how it is represented. Thus, Microscopy Today also acts as a community voice and resource. These services can be particularly effective because our magazine is the only widely distributed microscopy publication that is owned and operated by a scientific society.

So I welcome contributions from any and all corners of the microscopy community. I am grateful for all contributions to this publication.

NOTICE: I am seeking volunteer editors with expertise in biological applications, materials applications, and instrumentation. Contact me at the email address above.