The FEMS Journals, in partnership with Oxford University Press (OUP), are a leading resource for the microbiology community. Our not-for-profit publications advance the field through research, education, and collaboration, featuring special issues, topical webinars, and cutting-edge advancements.

Explore the latest research, browse current open calls for papers, and stay informed.

Publish with purpose

Looking for a place to publish your paper? The not-for-profit 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.

• Small bacterial proteins for big changes - Bacteria often face rapidly changing and hostile environments. To cope, they rely on intricate stress-response networks. One of their survival strategies is nucleoid condensation, bacteria compacting their chromosomes to conserve resources. The study “The small bacterial membrane protein YohP induces nucleoid condensation in E. coli and inhibits oligomerization of antimicrobial peptides” published in microLife describes how the small membrane protein YohP helps the bacterium overcome stress, as explained in this blog by Ana Natriashvili. Read the full blog here. 
   
• Biochar in sandy soils impact microbiome communities - Healthy soils are the backbone of sustainable agriculture and climate action. Yet, coarse sandy soils, common in many regions, pose a challenge. They drain water and nutrients too quickly, leaving crops thirsty and reducing yields. Improving these soils is critical for food security and carbon sequestration. The study “Effect of biochar on extracellular enzyme activity and microbiome dynamics across coarse sandy soil depths”, published in FEMS Microbiology Ecology explores an innovative solution: biochar. In this blog, Paul Iturbe-Espinoza, Rumakanta Sapkota, and Anne Winding discuss how this carbon-rich material can transform poor sandy subsoils into more resilient systems for sustainable agriculture. Read the full blog here.

Delivering a reimagined FEMS: Reinventing meetings and reshaping journals

In 2025, the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) successfully delivered its reinvented and reimagined biannual Congress & Exhibition. FEMS MICRO Milan 2025 was innovative and experimental, and allowed the best parts of bringing together colleagues from across the world to take center stage.

In 2026, FEMS turns that energy to its journals portfolio: strengthening the key elements that make them important in today’s research landscape. The FEMS journals are not-for-profit and run by dedicated active microbiologists. The journals publish trustworthy peer reviewed science, and FEMS is ensuring that sound microbiology research from all fields can always find a home within its portfolio.

This year will see a renewed focus on supporting the next generation of microbiologists. The portfolio will see several upgrades in 2026: fresh new looks, refined scopes, training resources for publishing and professional development, and some new faces involved in the journals. So, be sure to follow FEMS on social media and through our newsletters and website to find out more as it happens.

Journals run by microbiologists for microbiologists

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.