Discover this year's most read papers (Jan - July 2025). These papers have sparked new discussions, inspired fresh lines of inquiry, and captured the attention of scholars, practitioners, and curious minds alike.

Here are the five most read papers from each of our seven FEMS journals so far this year. Click the links below to find them for each journal. 

• FEMS Microbiology Letters
   
• FEMS Microbiology Reviews
   
• FEMS Microbiology Ecology
   
• Pathogens and Disease (soon to be FEMS Infectious Diseases)
   
• FEMS Yeast Research
   
• FEMS Microbes
   
• microLife

Publish with purpose:

Looking for a place to publish your paper? FEMS journals, run by and for microbiologists, publish rigorously peer-reviewed research to support the microbiology community.

Find all open calls for thematic issues submissions here. We have open access and free-to-publish submission options available. 

Immerse yourself within the dynamic world of microbiology with the #FEMSmicroBlog, your essential monthly resource for the latest news, recent studies, innovative discoveries, and insightful perspectives.

Explore our latest blog posts:

• MicroMundo@Oeiras as a citizen science project to tackle antibiotic resistance - Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest health threats of our time. Every year, infections caused by resistant bacteria cause thousands of deaths and put immense pressure on healthcare systems. In this global battle, it is not just doctors and researchers who can make a difference. Citizens, too, can play a key role. Read the full blog and discover the idea behind the project and research.
   
• About the interactions between sugars from mother’s milk and the baby’s microbes - Milk sugars from the mother play a crucial role in the development of a baby’s gut microbiome. To explore the interactions between different sugars and the gut microbes in an infant, the study “Milk and mucin glycans orchestrate a synthetic infant gut microbiota structure” applies an in vitro synthetic community consisting of glycan degraders and cross-feeders. Maryse Berkhout explains this in detail. Read the full blog.
   
• Can we find new antibiotics from the Antarctic? - The Antarctic environment harbours diverse and abundant microbial communities, with many of its endemic species occurring nowhere else in the world. Bacteria living in Antarctic marine creatures are of interest because they produce chemicals with various functions. This study identified several new bacterial isolates and showed the antimicrobial capacity of two bacteria from an Antarctic Sea anemone, as explained by Kudzai Hwengwere. Read the full blog.

The #FEMSmicroBlog welcomes external bloggers, writers and SciComm enthusiasts. Get in touch if you want to share your idea for a blog entry with us.

Microbe Art 2025 Competition

Our much loved Microbe Art Competition is back, in support of International Microorganism Day on 17 September 2025. Help celebrate the wondrous world of microbes by getting creative and sharing your art.

Simply, post your creation on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn) with the hashtags #MicrobeArt2025 and #InternationalMicroorganismDay and tag @IntMicroDay. Find out more. 

FEMS MICRO 2025 Abstract Book Published

The FEMS MICRO 2025 Abstract Book is now available for download. FEMS MICRO Milan 2025 convened the global microbiology community to share exceptional research across a range of diverse topic tracks, including Eco Innovations, Health Horizons, Biotechnology, and Engagement & Growth. Download the Abstract Book.

10th International Conference on Polar and Alpine Microbiology

This meeting will build upon the success of the previous nine editions of the conference series. Our goal is to bring together global researchers to explore various aspects of microbial diversity, function, and activity of cold-adapted microorganisms in polar and alpine environments. The conference will provide a platform for discussing the latest developments in the field, fostering the exchange of ideas and experiences on an international scale. Visit the website to find out more. 

The FEMS journals are run by microbiologists, and for microbiologists. Every article published by us has been rigorously reviewed for soundness of science by our community of academic peer reviewers – and the not-for-profit journals support the microbiology community.