Sometimes, in the rush of research and publishing, it’s easy to forget what all this work is really for.  AMR is one of the clearest reminders of why microbiology matters.

To solve it, we need evidence, and evidence starts with science.

For AMR Awareness Week this past November, we highlighted some studies from across the FEMS Journals that deepen our understanding of antimicrobial resistance and help guide the way forward.

• Understand how antibiotics, heavy metals, and microplastics drive AMR in water systems
• See how toxin–antitoxin systems help bacteria maintain and spread multidrug resistance
• Discover how wildlife acts as a hidden reservoir and pathway for AMR spread across ecosystems

To celebrate the incredible contributions shaping our field, we have highlighted the most cited papers from each journal this year. 

• FEMS Microbiology Letters - Mycorrhizal inoculation success depends on soil health and crop productivity - Volume 372, 2025
  
  
• FEMS Microbiology Reviews - Plant exudates-driven microbiome recruitment and assembly facilitates plant health management - Volume 49, 2025
  
  
• FEMS Microbiology Ecology - A review on comparative analysis of marine and freshwater fish gut microbiomes: insights into environmental impact on gut microbiota - Volume 101, Issue 1, 2025
  
  
• FEMS Yeast Research - Advancing recombinant protein expression in Komagataella phaffii: opportunities and challenges - Volume 25, 2025
  
  
• FEMS Microbes - Influenza a virus subtype H9N2 infection induces respiratory microbiota dysbiosis in chickens via type-I interferon-mediated mechanisms - Volume 6, 2025
  
  
• microLife - Respiratory syncytial virus: health burden, disease prevention, and treatment—recent progress and lessons learned - Volume 6, 2025
  
  
• Pathogens and Disease - Vibrio cholerae: Understanding a persistent pathogen in Sub-Saharan Africa and the East Mediterranean Region - Volume 83, 2025

What are “cited papers” and why do they matter?
When you see a paper cited in any of our journals, it means that another researcher has referenced that work in their own study. This practice is essential in science, it gives credit to original authors, helps readers trace source material, and builds a foundation for new discoveries. Citations show how research connects and evolves, creating a network of knowledge that drives microbiology forward.

No author should be held back from publishing good science because of financial constraints.

Most of our journals are fully open access, and many authors qualify for reduced or waived APCs through institutional agreements, FEMS member discounts, recent-author discounts, or the OUP Developing Countries Initiative.If cost is still a barrier, you can request a waiver assessed independently of peer review. Explore the possibilities by visiting our "For Authors" page. 

Looking for your next role in microbiology? Find interesting career opportunities on the FEMS Opportunities Board from institutions worldwide.

Deadlines approaching very soon:

• Postdoc in Computational/Experimental Evolution (Madrid) at National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC)
  
  
• Postdoctoral researcher in coral microbiology at University of Perpignan Via Domitia
  
  
• Research technician (ingénieur d´études) in coral microbiology at University of Perpignan Via Domitia

And more!

Looking for talent? Post your opportunity via this form.

Advance your expertise and connect with the microbiology community. As a reviewer for FEMS Journals, you’ll stay ahead of the latest research, sharpen your scientific writing, and help shape the field. Interested?

Complete our quick form to be considered for future review opportunities.

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.