Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process and plays an essential role in both cellular and whole organism homeodynamics. During autophagy, cytoplasmic components are sequestered into double-membrane vesicles called autophagosomes, which then fuse with lysosomes and their content is degraded. Autophagy is capable of responding to environmental and hormonal cues, to regulate cellular processes necessary for proper differentiation and development, and to control cellular homeodynamics. Failure of autophagy to perform these functions underlies the pathogenesis of several diseases.

We invite authors to submit original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of autophagy in development, cell differentiation, and homeodynamics during health and disease. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Autophagy during development in model organisms
• Autophagy in cell differentiation
• Autophagy and tissue homeostasis
• Autophagy and proteostasis
• Autophagy and ageing
• Regulation of autophagy by hormonal, nutritional, and heterotypic signals

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal’s Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/bmri/cell.biology/autod/ according to the following timetable: