Fostering a concept: Why cell identity matters

The aim of this editorial is to examine if and why a new journal focusing on issues concerning identity in general, cell identity, or cell-group identity could offer a new perspective or better vision in cell science. Recent advancements in technology (single-cell -omics) and the high amount of data and perspectives provided by the former experience in other domains of science (mainly social sciences) could offer at least some answers and, more importantly, allow new questions in biology and life sciences. Issues such as diversity, identity management in cells, and conservation versus change of identity, reprogramming, identity control, or identity recognition, may be interpreted or analyzed in a more complex manner if regarded form the perspective of the concept of identity. Deciphering what mechanisms stabilize or regulate cell identity could be crucial in understanding cell behavior. Learning how different pathogens or transformed cells hijack mechanisms involved in maintaining cell identity may offer, from a practical point of view, models or instruments to imagine means of control and maintain or manipulate cell identity during development, physiology, or disease. This opening article in the Journal of Cell Identity briefly mentions some of the emerging ideas concerning cell identity and is intended as a starting point for debate and analysis of more aspects concerning cell identity in health and disease.