mSphere

mSphere, with ISSN 2379-5042, is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). The journal serves as a broad-scope, interdisciplinary venue for high-quality research spanning the entire field of microbiology, including bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, and microbial ecology. Its scope encompasses fundamental microbial biology, host-microbe interactions, pathogenesis, environmental microbiology, and applied microbiological sciences, with a particular emphasis on studies that bridge molecular mechanisms with ecological or clinical contexts. mSphere publishes a variety of article types, including original research articles, reviews, commentaries, and editorials. A distinctive feature is its commitment to rapid, transparent peer review and the publication of replication studies, negative results, and incremental findings that are methodologically sound, thereby supporting reproducibility and scientific rigor. The target audience includes academic researchers, clinicians, public health professionals, and graduate students engaged in microbiological research and its applications. As an open-access journal, all articles are freely available immediately upon publication, maximizing dissemination and impact. With a 2026 Impact Factor of 5.0290, mSphere holds a JCR Quartile ranking of Q2, positioning it as a solid, mid-tier specialty journal within the microbiology category. While not among the highest-impact flagship titles, its standing reflects consistent quality and a valued niche for publishing well-conducted, reproducible microbiology research across diverse subfields, making it a respected and accessible choice for the global microbiology community.