Many physicists are now turning their attention to domains that were not traditionally part of physics and are applying the sophisticated tools of theoretical and experimental physics to investigate new fields such as biological processes. The Journal of Biological Physics (JBP) provides a medium where this growing community of scientists can publish its results and discuss its aims and methods. It welcomes papers which use the tools of physics both experimental and theoretical in an innovative way to study biological problems as well as research aimed at providing a better understanding of the physical principles underlying biological processes. Papers that use methods well established in the field to improve our knowledge on the biology of a system would be more suitable for a biophysical journal. All areas of biological physics can be addressed from the molecular level through the mesoscale of membranes and cells up to the macroscopic level of a population of living organisms the main criteria of acceptance being the physical content of the research and its relevance to biological systems. In order to increase the links between physics and biology and among the various fields of biological physics authors are advised to include a first section that introduces the basic issues addressed and the primary achievements to a non-specialist reader. In addition to original research papers the Journal of Biological Physics publishes review papers calling the attention of physicists to interesting unresolved biological problems that would deserve investigation by physical methods. Book reviews are also welcome. Short Notes This journal now incorporates Short Notes a medium for rapid dissemination of results. For more information please follow the Short Notes link from the journal WWW home page.