All at BioMed Central are shocked and saddened by the news that Kuan-Teh Jeang, M.D., Ph.D. passed away suddenly on the evening of the 27th January 2013.

Teh was a prominent figure in research on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the human tumor virus HTLV, and published prolifically on the disease-causing mechanisms of both these retroviruses.

He embraced open access publishing at a very early stage, and through his tireless commitment he succeeded in a long-held ambition to make his open access journal, Retrovirology, the highest-ranked and best-regarded specialist journal in the field. He was also an energetic and valued member of several other Editorial Boards including those of our flagship titles BMC Medicine and BMC Biology.

Well beyond these specific contributions, Teh played an instrumental part in the history, development and growth of BioMed Central, and was a passionate advocate of the open access movement.

Publishing Director Deborah Kahn said, “Kuan-Teh Jeang was one of the first Editors to work with BioMed Central and has always been a great friend to us, as well as a great and constructive critic. He proved with his journal Retrovirology just how successful an open access journal can be, and paved the way for our scientific conference program, persuading us to run our very first such event, Frontiers of Retrovirology, in Montpellier. We will miss him greatly.”

We extend all sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues.