Archives of Microbiology publishes papers on all areas of basic research in microbiology. Research papers must make a significant and original contribution to microbiology and be of interest to a broad readership. The results of any experimental approach that meets these objectives are welcome, particularly biochemical, molecular genetic, physiological, and/or physical investigations into microbial cells and their interactions with their environments. Mini-reviews in areas of special topical interest are also published. Theoretical papers and those that report on the analysis or 'mining' of data are acceptable in principle if new information, interpretations, or hypotheses emerge.