This journal publishes papers on fundamental and applied aspects of microbiology, with a particular emphasis on the natural world. Topics covered range from molecular biology and genetics to ecology and marine microbiology, as well microbial pathogenesis and bioinformatics. These can be in applied contexts such as agriculture, food microbiology and assay development amongst others. New taxa descriptions must demonstrate scientific interest beyond minimum description requirements to warrant consideration. Ideally, new taxa descriptions should part of a broader scientific study, rather than a short note format.

• Provides thorough coverage of fundamental and applied aspects of microbiology
• Covers taxonomy, structure & development; biochemistry & molecular biology; physiology & metabolic studies; genetics; ecological studies and more
• Average time to first decision: 27 days
• Average time from submission to final acceptance: less than 3 months
• 93% of authors who answered a survey reported that they would definitely publish or probably publish in the journal again