The journal Microbial Ecology was founded more than 50 years ago by Dr. Ralph Mitchell, Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Biology at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. The journal has evolved to become a premier location for the presentation of manuscripts that represent advances in the field of microbial ecology. The journal has become a dedicated international forum for the presentation of high-quality scientific investigations of how microorganisms interact with their environment, with each other and with their hosts. Microbial Ecology offers articles of original research in full paper and note formats, as well as brief reviews and topical position papers.