Beneficial Microbes is a peer-reviewed scientific journal with a specific area of focus: the promotion of the science of microbes beneficial to the health and wellbeing of man and animal. The journal contains original research papers and critical reviews in all areas dealing with beneficial microbes in both the small and large intestine, together with opinions, a calendar of forthcoming beneficial microbes-related events and book reviews. The journal takes a multidisciplinary approach and focuses on a broad spectrum of issues, including safety aspects of pro- & prebiotics, regulatory aspects, mechanisms of action, health benefits for the host, optimal production processes, screening methods, (meta)genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, host and bacterial physiology, application, and role in health and disease in man and animal. Beneficial Microbes is intended to serve the needs of researchers and professionals from the scientific community and industry, as well as those of policy makers and regulators. The journal will have five major sections: * Food, nutrition and health * Animal nutrition * Processing and application * Regulatory & safety aspects * Medical & health applications In these sections, topics dealt with by Beneficial Microbes include: * Worldwide safety and regulatory issues * Human and animal nutrition and health effects * Latest discoveries in mechanistic studies and screening methods to unravel mode of action * Host physiology related to allergy, inflammation, obesity, etc. * Trends in application of (meta)genomics, proteomics and metabolomics * New developments in how processing optimizes pro- & prebiotics for application * Bacterial physiology related to health benefits