Smoke Gets in Your Cells

In general, studies in this journal provide novel mechanistic insight into lung (patho)biology. These studies involve molecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates), cells, and/or whole organisms. Most individual studies focus on one of these areas, and a compilation of protein, cell, and animal-based manuscripts allows us to synthesize a more comprehensive view of the particular process. Studies that can attack a problem at multiple levels often have most scientific merit. For example, a cell culture study is strengthened by in vivo confirmation, and an in vivo finding is improved with mechanistic insight gained at the cell/protein level. It is this synergistic combination of in vivo and in vitro studies that is often most informative of underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.