Journal profile · Microbiology
Archives of Microbiology
ISSN 0302-8933 · eISSN 1432-072X · Springer Berlin Heidelberg · GERMANY · Monthly · Founded 1930
Archives of Microbiology: CAS Zone 4 · Biology (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 3.43; hybrid open access; APC about USD 4,090; median 68 days to acceptance (154 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: fairly easy; 403 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Archives of Microbiology is published by Springer Berlin Heidelberg and is in Zone 4 of Biology in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology, Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies and Algal biology and biofuel production, together about 23.8% of its articles. Its main subfields are Molecular Biology. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Archives of Microbiology is a broad readership, international, peer-reviewed journal, publishing significant and original contributions in all areas of basic microbiology research. Welcomes biochemical, molecular, genetic, physiological, and/or physical investigations into microbial cells and their interactions with their environments, Publishes Reviews and Mini-Reviews, Original Research papers, Brief Reports and Comments, Theoretical papers and data analysis or 'mining' reports are acceptable if they provide new information, interpretations, or hypotheses. In-Scope Topics: Microbial Diversity and Ecology: Investigations into the diversity, distribution, and ecological roles of microorganisms in various natural and engineered environments. Studies on microbial communities, their interactions, and responses to environmental changes. Microbial Physiology and Genetics: Research on microbial physiology, metabolism, and adaptation mechanisms. Studies on microbial genetics, genomics, and molecular biology, including mechanisms of gene regulation and genome evolution. Microbial Pathogenesis and Host-Microbe Interactions: Exploration of the mechanisms by which pathogenic microorganisms cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Investigations into host-microbe interactions, including the immune response and microbial virulence factors. Microbial Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology: Advances in the application of microorganisms for biotechnological and industrial purposes, including bioprocess engineering and microbial production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and enzymes. Microbial Biogeochemistry and Environmental Microbiology: Research on the roles of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles, such as the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles. Studies on the impact of microorganisms on environmental processes, including bioremediation and microbial-driven nutrient cycling. Microbial Evolution and Phylogeny: Investigations into the evolutionary history of microorganisms and the development of phylogenetic relationships among different microbial groups. Studies on the origin and evolution of microbial traits and adaptations. Methods and Techniques in Microbiology: Development and optimization of novel techniques, tools, and methodologies for the study and manipulation of microorganisms. Reviews and evaluations of emerging technologies in microbiological research. Microbial Biomedicine and Therapeutics: Research on the use of microorganisms for therapeutic pu
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Microbiology
Editor-in-chief Yusuf AkhterPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 7 in mainland China (about 14%); most named India 12, Mainland China 7, Germany 6, United States 5, South Korea 3 (49 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Microbial Community Ecology and PhysiologyEnvironmental Science9%
- Genomics and Phylogenetic StudiesBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology7.9%
- Algal biology and biofuel productionEnergy6.9%
- Photosynthetic Processes and MechanismsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology5.6%
- Microbial Metabolic Engineering and BioproductionBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology5.4%
- Bacterial Genetics and BiotechnologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology4.3%
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing SymbiosisAgricultural and Biological Sciences4.3%
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactionsEnvironmental Science4%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Biology Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Microbiology | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Biology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Microbiology | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Biology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Microbiology | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
MEDLINEEmbaseCASCAB AbstractsCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest, Dimensions, CNKI, Baidu, AGRICOLA, Astrophysics Data System, Naver, OCLC, Portico, CLOCKSS
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 3.43LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 3.4Publisher website ·
- 5-year impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 3.2Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 5.9LetPub ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.66LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.72LetPub ·
- h-index
- 94LetPub ·
- h-index
- 208OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 8,661OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 3.99OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 0%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 8.41%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 403LetPub ·
- Articles per year (publisher)
- 2,025Publisher website ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 1,200,000Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 14,057 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 590 | 75 | 415 |
| 2025 | 403 | 39 | 1,460 |
| 2024 | 445 | 51 | 3,862 |
| 2023 | 389 | 75 | 4,259 |
| 2022 | 668 | 111 | 8,133 |
| 2021 | 583 | 81 | 9,140 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
68 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 52 days – 91 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 16 days (154 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 88 days
- Sample
- 154 articles with submission and acceptance dates (1,055 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- 4–8 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- Fairly easyLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 2 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Double anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 4,090 / EUR 3,090 / GBP 2,690 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare5 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- 150–250 words
- Keywords
- ≥ 4
- Reference style
- Author–date
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted8
- editorialOriginal Papershave no length limitations; however, manuscripts should be clearly and concisely written.ReviewsReviews should be comprehensive, fully referenced…Length not stated
- mini-reviewsMini-reviews cover recent discoveries of topics of current interest that have not been reviewed recently and should be no longer than 4-6 printed pages.Length not stated
- original papersOriginal Papershave no length limitations; however, manuscripts should be clearly and concisely written.Length not stated
- reviewOriginal Papershave no length limitations; however, manuscripts should be clearly and concisely written.ReviewsReviews should be comprehensive, fully referenced…Length not stated
- review articleOriginal Papershave no length limitations; however, manuscripts should be clearly and concisely written.ReviewsReviews should be comprehensive, fully referenced…Length not stated
- reviewsReviews should be comprehensive, fully referenced expositions of subjects of general interest, including background information and detailed critical analyses o…Length not stated
- short communicationOriginal Papershave no length limitations; however, manuscripts should be clearly and concisely written.ReviewsReviews should be comprehensive, fully referenced…Length not stated
- short communicationsShort communications should not be longer than 3–4 printed pages (one printed page corresponds to approximately: 850 words text, or 3 illustrations with their l…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review
- AI use Generative AI Images
Please check Springer’s policy on generative AI images and make sure your work adheres to the principles described therein. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Authorship Policy
Authorship restricted to substantial contributors in listed categories. Model summary
Authorship should incorporate and should be restricted to those who have contributed substantially to the work in one or more of the following categories: • Conceived of or designed study • Performed research • Analyzed data • Contributed new methods or models • Wrote the paper Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Disclosures and declarations
All authors are requested to include information regarding sources of funding, financial or non-financial interests, study-specific approval by the appropriate ethics committee for research involving humans and/or animals, informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved animals (as appropriate). The decision whether such …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability Data Availability
Microorganisms and new isolates must be deposited in a publicly accessible WDCM culture collection (e.g. DSM, ATCC, NCIMB). Model summary
This journal encourages authors to provide an optional statement of data availability in their article. Data Availability Statements should include information on where data supporting the results reported in the article can be found, including, where applicable, hyperlinks to publicly archived datasets analysed or generated during the study. Data availability statements can also indicate whether …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics Compliance with Ethical Standards
Authors must not misrepresent research results. Model summary
To ensure objectivity and transparency in research and to ensure that accepted principles of ethical and professional conduct have been followed, authors should include information regarding sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest (financial or non-financial), informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved an…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright
Open Choice articles do not require transfer of copyright as the copyright remains with the author. In opting for open access, the author(s) agree to publish the article under a Creative Commons license. Details of the OA licences offered to authors can be found on the individual journal website, in the journal's How to publish with us guide. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access publishing
To find out more about publishing your work Open Access in Archives of Microbiology, including information on fees, funding and licences, visit our Open access publishing page. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review
Reviewer suggestions: up to 4 international experts; editor retains sole right to decide whether to use them. Model summary
Authors may suggest up to 4 international experts to review their manuscript. Institutional address and e-mail address of the reviewers must be provided by the author. Note that the handling editor retains the sole right to decide whether or not the suggested reviewers are used.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Springer Berlin Heidelberg
- Country or region
- GERMANY
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Monthly
- Founded
- 1930
- ISSN
- 0302-8933
- Electronic ISSN
- 1432-072X
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Author guidelines ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Archives of Microbiology
What CAS zone is Archives of Microbiology in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Archives of Microbiology is in Zone 4 of Biology, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Microbiology. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 3 of Biology. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Archives of Microbiology?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 3.43; CiteScore 5.9, h-index 208.
How long does peer review take at Archives of Microbiology?
Based on the dates recorded on 154 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 68 days (interquartile range 52–91 days); authors report an average review time of 4–8 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Fairly easy”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Archives of Microbiology?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: 150–250 words; Keywords: ≥ 4; Reference style: Author–date; Suggested reviewers: Optional; Cover letter: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Archives of Microbiology based?
Of the 49 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 7 (about 14%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are India (12), Mainland China (7) and Germany (6). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Archives of Microbiology?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Archives of Microbiology is indexed in SCIE and Scopus. The journal's website also lists MEDLINE, Embase, CAS, CAB Abstracts and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Archives of Microbiology open access, and what is the APC?
Archives of Microbiology is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 4,090.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, OpenAlex, Publisher website; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .