This month’s issue of Nature Cell Biology presents the first in a new series of short autobiographical essays by leading scientists entitled “”https://www.nature.com/ncb/journal/v11/n4/full/ncb0409-363b.html">Turning Points“. The articles offer a historical perspective of the career of the author and feature a first-hand recounting of a pivotal event that shaped his or her scientific future. Events may be as diverse as the unexpected generosity of a colleague, a move to a new destination or even arguments with peers that triggered a shift in research direction or led to the development of a new concept. The editors hope that the series will highlight some of the stories that are part of the folklore of cell biology — tales often recounted at the bar or beach during conferences, but which seldom find an audience in a more formal context. As such, it is hoped that these accounts will be inspirational to scientists early in their careers. The series launches ”https://www.nature.com/ncb/journal/v11/n4/full/ncb0409-364.html">(Nature Cell Biology 11, 364; 2009) with an account from Gottfried Schatz on how he was inspired to embark on a career devoted to studying mitochondria by an unusual answer to a postcard.

The authors will be drawn from fields that are represented within Nature Cell Biology. If there is a particular cell, molecular or developmental biologist whom you would like to see featured in this series, please send your suggestion to cellbio@nature.com