The Evolution of CMGH as The Basic Research Journal in Gastroenterology and Hepatology: “H” is for “Home”

In 2015, the American Gastroenterological Association launched a new journal, Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH), as a dedicated platform for basic, mechanistic research in gastrointestinal and liver biology. Although some grew concerned that the National Institutes of Health might be shifting toward a focus on translational research, Dr Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health, stated clearly that “basic research is the engine that powers tomorrow’s therapeutic discoveries.”¹ As articulated in its inaugural editorial, “CMGH is the answer to the looming question of where, within the realm of gastroenterology- and hepatology-related journals, to publish high-quality, laboratory-focused research."²

CMGH is fundamentally about mechanisms and functional validation, not merely effects and associations, and the journal remains agnostic to whether these are delineated via cell or molecular biology approaches. This founding vision included a commitment to becoming “a preferred venue to showcase outstanding integrative research that falls between traditional disciplinary boundaries.”³ This strategy proved prescient, because modern biomedical research increasingly requires crossing conventional subject boundaries to address complex scientific questions.

CMGH's trajectory over the past 10 years demonstrates the successful execution of the founding vision. The journal has seen overall growth in original research submissions, primarily from de novo submissions rather than transferred manuscripts from Gastroenterology. In 2022, nearly 80% of manuscripts were submitted directly to CMGH, and this number is steadily rising. The evolution from being primarily a cascade option to becoming a preferred first-choice destination marks significant maturation of the journal. It is driven by the recognition that CMGH provides a home for high-quality basic research in gastroenterology and hepatology. Although the impact factor of CMGH is strong within the field, it has fluctuated because of changes in methodologies and higher publication volume. Continuing to increase our impact factor remains a clear goal for the journal.

The evolution of the editorial structure at CMGH has mirrored its scientific growth (Figure 1). Strategic expansion of the Board of Editors from 3 members at the journal’s inception to now 7 members (2 coeditors-in-chief and 5 associate editors) has enhanced expertise across the diverse landscape of modern gastroenterology and hepatology research. CMGH has also added topic editors focused on “inflammation and immunology” and “pancreas biology,” and a social media editor, and plans to add additional topic editors for “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” and “Training, Educating, and Mentoring.” Going forward, CMGH is expanding the framework of what we publish (to be detailed extensively in upcoming commentaries); this will include refinement of the “Research Letter” to prioritize impactful stories that benefit the field by rapid dissemination and introduction of new formats, such as “Brief Reviews,” “Technical Advances,” and “Guiding Principles,” the latter designed to address issues of rigor and reproducibility in research. These new sections will provide additional venues for authors to share their primary research, conceptual frameworks, and methodologic advances, complementing the core focus of CMGH while serving broader needs in the research community.

Figure 1.

The members of the CMGH Board of Editors since inception.

CMGH will also continue to prioritize its commitment to early career investigators. CMGH has hosted a series of exceptional editorial fellows, including 2 currently, and we continue to invite reviewers based on their expertise and quality of reviews, not solely their stature in the field. To this end, we encourage all investigators interested in participating in the review process to contact our editorial office. We also envision the “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” and “Training, Educating, and Mentoring” sections to address particular challenges for early career investigators in gastroenterology and hepatology.

As CMGH approaches its 10th anniversary, we must remember that not only is basic research fundamental to the understanding of biologic processes but “without an equal and ongoing commitment to basic science, there would soon be nothing to translate into applications.”⁴ Within the American Gastroenterological Association portfolio, CMGH has a distinct and exclusive focus on basic, mechanistic research, and in fact, few other journals provide a consistent “home” for this type of research. The successful evolution of CMGH over its first decade suggests a continued positive trajectory, and the journal's adaptability, commitment to innovation, and focus on supporting early career researchers position it well for sustained growth and impact.