Our front cover features images related to flow cytometry techniques ranging from optics to sample preparation and processing, superimposed on a multidimensional immune cell population scatter plot. These images are taken from the Flow Cytometry Guidelines (Cossarizza et al. pp. 1584–1797), a comprehensive resource prepared by flow cytometry and immunology research experts from around the world. The Flow Cytometry Guidelines not only highlight the latest trends and best practices in basic and advanced flow cytometry but also re-enforce optimal sample preparation, as well as data analysis, enabling the correct use of state of the art flow cytometry for all involved in immunological research.

Our back cover features a dendritic cell infected with herpes simplex virus 1 as captured by confocal microscopy. Infected bone marrow-derived dendritic cells were stained for viral glycoprotein, gD (red), autophagosomal marker protein, LC3 (green) and nucleus (blue). The colocalization of gD and LC3 (yellow) demonstrates the capture of the viral proteins by autophagosomes. This image is taken from Budida et al. (pp. 1819–1834), who studied the role of autophagy in processing and MHC class I presentation of HSV-1 antigens in dendritic cells.