Get ready to celebrate excellence in microbiology research as we proudly announce the winners of the FEMS Journals Article Awards from 2024. These awards recognize the outstanding contributions of researchers who have pushed the boundaries of knowledge in the field of microbiology.

• FEMS Microbiology Letters - Discovery of a glyphosate oxidase in nature
  
  
• FEMS Microbiology Reviews - Root colonization by beneficial rhizobacteria
  
  
• FEMS Microbiology Ecology - A respiro-fermentative strategy to survive nanoxia in Acidobacterium capsulatum
  
  
• Pathogens and Disease - Disrupting quorum sensing as a strategy to inhibit bacterial virulence in human; animal; and plant pathogens
  
  
• FEMS Yeast Research - QTL mapping reveals novel genes and mechanisms underlying variations in H2S production during alcoholic fermentation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  
  

• FEMS Microbes - Enterococcal quorum-controlled protease alters phage infection 

• microLife - Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ST313 sublineage 2.2 has emerged in Malawi with a characteristic gene expression signature and a fitness advantage

Stay up-to-date with the latest microbiology news, research, and insights on the #FEMSmicroBlog. Our monthly blog covers a diverse range of topics.

Discover new insights in our latest blog posts:

• How urban pollution impacts mosquito-associated microbial communities - Urban green spaces provide beneficial ways to mitigate environmental pollution. However, they can also become breeding sites for mosquitoes, heightening the risk for mosquito-borne infectious disease to emerge. Claire Valiente Moro explores how pollution impacts mosquito habitats and their associated microbial communities. Read the full blog.
  
  
• The gut microbiome of an ancient and almost extinct reptile from New Zealand – No animal is going it alone in this world. We all rely on our gut microbes to help us digest food and protect us from pathogens. Tuatara, an endemic reptile to New Zealand and the only living species in an otherwise extinct order, is no exception. Carmen Hoffbeck sheds light on this reptile’s gut microbiome to learn more about how they interact with their environment. Read the full blog.
  
  
• The metabolic balancing act of Neisseria gonorrhoeae - Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea, is notorious for its resilience under difficult conditions. To survive in the nutrient-limited environment of the human host, Neisseria gonorrhoeae carefully regulates its use of proteins across metabolic pathways. Nabia Shahreen explores the precise management of protein resources under resource-constrained conditions. 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.

FEMS Microbiology Letters announces new section editor & recognises outgoing leadership

FEMS Microbiology Letters is pleased to announce Prof. Séamus Fanning as our new Section Editor. We extend a warm welcome and eagerly anticipate his expertise and contributions. We also express our sincere gratitude to outgoing Section Editor, Prof. Wolfgang Kneifel, for his remarkable decade of leadership, following years as a dedicated Handling Editor. His commitment to the journals and FEMS has been invaluable.

Leadership Changes at the European Academy of Microbiology

From January 2025, the European Academy of Microbiology has a new President, Professor Kenneth Timmis, who was elected by the EAM Fellowship at the end of 2024 to replace the then President Jörg Vogel. The EAM extends its heartfelt thanks to Jörg for his service over these last four years. Furthermore, the EAM is glad to circulate the news that Juan Luis Ramos, Granada, has been elected as a new Member of the EAM Executive Board.

Tribute to “Kostas” Konstantinos Koutsoumanis

It is with extreme sadness that we have learnt of the unexpected passing of our dear colleague, Konstantinos Koutsoumanis. “Kostas” has been a vigorous champion of Europe’s food safety system while serving as an EFSA expert for the last 18 years and was a mentor at the 2024 FEMS Summer School for Postdocs. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who love him.

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.