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As the first two of Professor Graham Johnston’s graduate students, we are delighted to be guest editors of this special issue of Neurochemical Research honouring his distinguished career. Graham was a member of the Editorial Board of Neurochemical Research (1978–1987), the first Australian to be a member of the Council of the International Society for Neurochemistry (1977–1981) and the founding President of the Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry (1991–1994). Graham’s 70th birthday in June 2009 represents a suitable occasion to reflect upon the career of one of Australia’s most renowned and internationally well known biomedical scientists. His research efforts have not only greatly advanced our understanding of the amino acid neurotransmitters, GABA, glycine and L-glutamate, but were instrumental in their acceptance as major transmitters of the mammalian brain. However, what stands out from a publication list of some 400 papers is how his unique chemical insights have led to idiosyncratic and totally unexpected advances in neuroscience. Indeed his contributions should probably be viewed within the broadest context of ‘‘chemical’’ neuroscience. Graham’s early career was influenced by three outstanding scientists—all Fellows of the Royal Society (UK) and the latter two were Nobel laureates: C W. Shoppee (MSc supervisor at University of Sydney, 1959–1961), Lord Todd (PhD supervisor at University of Cambridge, 1961–1964) and M. Calvin (postdoctoral supervisor at University of California at Berkeley, 1964–1965). Here we recognise seminal periods of training involving organic chemistry focused on biological function and pharmacological activity. His interest in neurochemistry and neurochemical pharmacology was stimulated by Jeff Watkins (of NMDA fame, later FRS), an earlier Cantabrigian PhD graduate from Todd’s laboratory, that led to Graham replacing Watkins at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, and working on amino acids. Here he established medicinal chemistry and neurochemical laboratories, and collaborated (1965–1980) with David Curtis (later FRS) in the Department of Physiology made famous by the Nobel Prize Winner, Sir John Eccles. Indeed, it remains one of his favourite expressions that all his students were duly entitled to be considered as descended from the ‘‘Ecclesiastical’’ line—this witticism appropriately illustrates his sharp, and at times wry sense of humour, often not appreciated by the unsuspecting. By the time he undertook study leave (1970–1971) at the University of Cambridge with Les Iversen (later FRS) his career had undergone a meteoric rise with the description of strychnine and bicuculline as glycine and GABA antagonists, respectively. We both remember well Graham’s return from working with Iversen, excited about transporters for amino acid transmitters, ordering a McIlwain Tissue Chopper and launching projects in this area. Neurochemical work of this type, in P. M. Beart (&) Molecular Neuropharmacology, Florey Neuroscience Institutes, University of Melbourne, NNF2, Alan Gilbert Building, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia e-mail: philip.beart@florey.edu.au

Graham Johnston: Bringing Success to Neuroscience Through Medicinal Chemistry