Inaugural editorial of Discover Molecules

Matter consists of atoms and molecules as fundamental building blocks.The interactions among these building blocks dictate the characteristics, behaviour, and practical uses of every substance we encounter in our daily experiences.The exploration of matter dates back to pre-scientific eras.However, structured scientific discourse began to emerge around the seventeenth century, coinciding with the development of experimental methods.This period saw the formulation of molecular theories, introducing a formal notion to molecules as aggregates of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.Motivated by curiosity and a commitment to enhancing human experience, the exploration of molecules within the animates and inanimates expanded the horizons of molecular science to include different areas of biology and chemistry.As diverse applications continued to emerge, a deeper comprehension of the underlying physics gained traction, leading to the integration of molecular physics.Technological advancements ushered in new opportunities, including advanced characterization techniques through molecular engineering.Today, molecular science has evolved into a highly interdisciplinary subject comprising a spectrum of scientific disciplines.Given the fundamental significance and practical applications of molecular science, the field has witnessed extensive research and advancements.Springer Nature Group has played a significant role in reporting and disseminating molecular science globally.Recognizing the importance of science and innovation in ensuring a sustainable future, governments and companies worldwide are investing considerable efforts in promoting scientific research.This has motivated numerous researchers to conduct studies and share their findings for the greater benefit of society.However, various obstacles occasionally impede researchers from publishing their findings.To alleviate these challenges in scientific publishing, Springer Nature has introduced the Discover Series aligned with UN's sustainable development goals, which focuses on providing ethical, efficient, and author-centric publishing services.In line with this initiative, Discover Molecules was launched in October 2023 to specifically address the challenges faced by researchers in the field of molecular science and provide an inclusive platform for their work.Formally, we welcome all readers to Discover Molecules, an open-access journal launched in October 2023 as part of the Discover series within the global brand of Springer Nature.Discover Molecules is a broad scope journal which reports the science of molecules.This includes all types of research that studies molecule/s ranging from a single entity to an aggregation spanning diverse applications across all interdisciplinary fields of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Engineering and Physics.Although non-exhaustive, the following section outlines the primary topics welcomed at Discover Molecules.