For many years scientists have been working to understand the many reactions and processes that are required for cellular biosynthesis. Until recently much less attention has been paid to the complementary processes of cellular destruction. Yet, life is a constant balance between synthesis and degradation, a balance that must incorporate an ongoing transition from destruction to renewal. Degradation can occur at the protein level, involving the proteasome or intraorganellar hydrolases, or at the cellular level, most notably with the processes of programmed cell death. One of the most striking processes of degradation, but one that is relatively uncharacterized, is autophagy. Autophagy involves the sequestration of cytoplasm - both cytosol and entire organelles - within vesicles that are subsequently delivered to the primary degradative compartments, the lysosome or vacuole; alternatively uptake can occur directly at these compartments. The sequestered material is then broken down, degraded and recycled to allow the continuation of essential cellular processes.

Research in the field of autophagy has increased dramatically for several reasons. First, many genes involved in autophagy have been discovered in yeast and homologues have been identified in higher eukaryotes. Coupled with extensive morphological studies from mammalian cells, we are now in a position to begin to develop a mechanistic understanding of this complex pathway. Second, autophagy is involved in various normal developmental and physiological processes and is thought to play an important role in lifespan extension. Third, autophagy has been shown to correlate with a wide range of human diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and myopathies, and is also involved in protecting against invasion by certain viruses and bacteria.

Continued advancement in this field will benefit from a forum that can keep investigators up to date with the latest progress in the many topics that pertain to autophagy. Original papers in Autophagy will represent a wide range of experimental systems and methodologies. Reviews will highlight progress and discuss current thinking on autophagy in a format that is accessible to a wide academic audience. The journal Autophagy covers the following topics: Macroautophagy, microautophagy, specific organelle degradation (e.g., pexophagy) and additional autophagic processes including chaperone-mediated autophagy; The molecular mechanism of autophagy including the characterization of structural proteins and structure/function relationships; Signaling and autophagic regulation; The role of autophagy in diseases; Developmental roles of autophagy and its connection with aging; Autophagy in microbial invasion and the immune response; and Autophagy in cell death.

Autophagy is published both in print and online. Original research will be published as full-length reports or brief communications. Solicited and submitted reviews, addenda of papers published in other journals and timely commentary on significant developments will also be published. All manuscripts are subjected to peer review. Accepted manuscripts will be made available on the journal's website immediately. Each contribution is rigorously reviewed by at least two experts who are either members of the Editorial Board or are recruited by board members. The primary criteria for publication are originality, outstanding scientific merit, and general interest. The Editorial Board, composed of members from around the world, will strive to maintain the highest standards for excellence in order to generate a valuable resource for an international readership.

Autophagy is abstracted/indexed in PubMed/Medline and Science Citation Index Expanded. Manuscripts should be submitted to the editorial office.