Recognizing that microbial sciences, just like microbes, know no borders, the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) and the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) have come together to launch a new initiative -- the World Microbe Forum, taking place online from 20-24 June 2021.

This event brings together two of the biggest meetings in the microbial sciences, ASM Microbe 2021 and FEMS2021, under one platform to further science. Grants and Awards to help attendance are available. 

Abstract Submission Now Open!

We are pleased to announce our latest member: the Kosovo Society for Microbiology. The Society will join our other Member Societies in advancing microbiology knowledge in their region and beyond. We are very much looking forward to working with them.

Members of the Kosovo Society for Microbiology will enjoy benefits from FEMS membership as per 1 January 2021. 

Make sure our next webinars are in your calendar:

1) FEMS Microbiology Ecology Webinar on Marine Microbial Ecology

Thursday 4 February 2021, 10am EST / 3pm GMT / 4pm CET

Register now

2) FEMS Microbiology Ecology Webinar on Microbial Ecotoxicology

Thursday 4 March 2021, 10am EST / 3pm GMT/ 4pm CET

Registration coming soon.

3) Soon you will also be able to re-watch on the FEMS Webinar page our FEMS Yeast Research Webinar on Genomic Insights into Yeast Diversity and Evolution, Broadcast: Thursday 28th January 2021:

January has been such a great month for combating AMR!

Firstly, the EU-JAMRAI launched the Micro-Combat App, a game aiming to provide specific knowledge on antibiotic resistance and improve the correct use of antibiotics among youngest generations.

And in case, this has missed your radar, Ineos has donated £100 million to create new Oxford University Institute to fight antimicrobial resistance.

FEMS Microbiology Ecology

Your natural research habitat

FEMS Microbiology Letters

Promoting new ideas

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Outstanding reviews from leading experts

In the laboratory, social cheating can promote population collapse or “tragedy of the commons” when excessive. Nevertheless, there are diverse mechanisms that counteract cheating in microbes, as well as theoretical and experimental evidence that suggests possible beneficial roles of social cheaters for the microbial populations. In this mini review manuscript we compile and discuss such possible roles.

Rodolfo García-Contreras, and Daniel Loarca

In this study, the role of malyl-CoA lyase in the metabolism of the aerobic type I methanotroph Methylotuvimicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z has been investigated by gene inactivation and biochemical studies. The authors suppose that malyl-CoA lyase is the enzyme that provides glyoxylate and glycine synthesis in the type I methanotrophs supporting carbon assimilation via the serine cycle in addition to the major ribulose monophosphate cycle.

S Y But, S V Egorova, V N Khmelenina, and I I Mustakhimov

In recent decades, bacteriocins have received substantial attention as antimicrobial compounds. Although bacteriocins have been predominantly exploited as food preservatives, they are now receiving increased attention as potential clinical antimicrobials and as possible immune-modulating agents.Here,the authors focus on the most recent trends relating to the application of bacteriocins, their toxicity and impacts.

Samira Soltani, Riadh Hammami, Paul D Cotter, Sylvie Rebuffat, Laila Ben Said, Hélène Gaudreau, François Bédard, Eric Biron, Djamel Drider, Ismail Fliss

Pathogens and Disease

Next generation host pathogen research

FEMS Yeast Research

The yeast community journal 

Out Now: Thematic Issue

The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is an invertebrate that is increasingly being used in scientific research. Its ease of reproduction, numerous offspring, short development cycle, and finally, its known genome and immune-related transcriptome provide a convenient research model for investigation of insect immunity. In this review article, the authors describe the biology of the greater wax moth, summarise the main advantages of using it as a model organism and present some of the main techniques facilitating work with this insect.

Iwona Wojda, Bernard Staniec, Michał Sułek, and Jakub Kordaczuk

Heterologous expression of 6-methylsalicylic acid synthase (MSAS) together with 6-MSA decarboxylase enables de novo production of the platform chemical and antiseptic additive 3-methylphenol (3-MP) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, toxicity of 3-MP prevents higher production levels. In this study, the authors evaluated in vivo detoxification strategies to overcome limitations of 3-MP production.

Anna Maria Erian, Michael Egermeier, Alice Rassinger, Hans Marx and Michael Sauer

We are proud to announce the publication of the latest Thematic Issue of papers from FEMS Yeast Research on Yeast Genomes.

This Thematic Issue examines how microbiology and microbial products can help meet these challenges, as well as proposing avenues for future research.

Yeast genome sequencing is a fast-moving field of yeast research and is yielding significant results. Papers in this issue cover topics including fungal hybridization, RNA-seq data analysis, mass spectrometry, beer brewing, and the natural history of the Saccharomyces genus.

Research and Training Grants are meant to assist early career scientists in pursuing research and training at a European host institution in another country than their own country of residence.

The next Standing up for Science workshop is being held online on Friday 26 March 2021. Join us to find out how to make your voice heard in public debates about science and evidence. 

Apply for your free place by 5pm Monday 1 March.

VoYS members have been glad to have the stimulation of developing skills and confidence at a time when so much else is uncertain. We’re proud that we’ve been able to continue supporting and engaging ECRs, as there is an incredible call for your contribution right now. We will send a registration link to all successful applicants before the webinar.

Bringing together industry, research and policy.
The quickening pace of scientific and technological
discovery is re-shaping policies, markets and
economies around the world.

Arm yourself with a
regular new Science|Business briefing.

Scientists at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ, have characterised the breakdown of phenol by Saccharolobus solfataricus revealing a new pathway for biotechnological degradation of industrial waste.

Although the whole 24-hour live stream has been available since 17 September on our YouTube channel, we understand that it is not the most convenient format to sift through!

So, the stream has been edited into individual talks and sessions, making up 45 videos, which will be published twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays across the next 6 months on the IMD YouTube channel, with alerts on social media.