More on PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Nathan Grossman, Professor starts tropical disease journal to raise awareness, The GW Hatchet (independent student paper at George Washington University), September 28, 2006 (free registration required). Excerpt:

Peter Hotez, chair of the Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Diseases department [at GWU], began a new scientific journal called Public Library of Science: Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Neglected tropical diseases are relatively unknown infectious diseases that are most predominate in rural areas, usually within developing countries. NTDs include leprosy, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and the human hookworm, the object of the Hotez's latest research. Hotez hopes that the journal will improve collaboration and cooperation among researchers and experts studying NTDs.  But the aim of the new journal goes beyond medical research. Hotez said he hopes it will allow scientists to advocate for greater awareness and treatment of NTDs. He believes NTDs have been ignored not only by pharmaceutical companies, but also local, national and international communities....

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently gave $1.1 million to the PLoS journal, and Hotez spoke about NTD's with former President Jimmy Carter at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York last week....

The PLoS journal will feature an innovative "open access" feature, by which any scientist, physician or public health official can contribute research to the journal's Web site.

PS:  I hope the paper can correct the last sentence.  OA means open or free for access, reading, copying, redistribution, and other uses, not open for anyone's contribution.  A peer-reviewed OA journal isn't a wiki and only publishes the research articles that meet its editorial standard.