www.im.microbios.org Aims and scope INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY, the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology (SEM), aims to advance and disseminate information in the fields of basic and applied microbiology among scientists around the world. The journal publishes two kinds of contributions: Articles (reviews, research articles, and research notes) and Complements (editorials, perspectives, opinions, book reviews, obituaries, etc). A feature of INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY that distinguishes it from many other microbiology journals is a broadening of the term ‘‘microbiology’’ to include eukaryotic microorganisms (protists, yeast, molds), as well as the publication of articles about microbiologists and their work and questions related to the history and sociology of this science. It offers short publication times and a complete copy-editing service. The journal encourages submissions in the following areas: • Microorganisms (prions, viruses, bacteria, archaea, protists, yeast, molds) • Microbial biology (taxonomy, genetics, morphology, physiology, ecology, pathogenesis) • Microbial applications (environmental, soil, industrial, food and medical microbiology, biodeterioration, bioremediation, biotechnology) • State of the art of microbiology in different regions of the world • Outstanding microbiologists • Microbiology and education • The history and sociology of microbiology Copyright Submission of a manuscript to INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY implies: that the work described has not been published before, including publication on the World Wide Web (except in the form of an Abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, or thesis); that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that all coauthors have agreed to its publication. The corresponding author signs for and accepts responsibility for releasing this material and will act on behalf of any and all co-authors regarding the editorial review and publication processes. If an article is accepted for publication in INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY, the authors (or other copyright holder) must transfer to the journal the copyright, which covers the right —not exclusive— to reproduce and distribute the article including reprints, translations, photographic reproductions microform, electronic form (offline, online) or any other P2 reproductions of similar nature. Nevertheless, all articles in INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY will be available on the internet to any reader at no cost. The journal allows users to freely download, copy, print, distribute, search, and link to the full text of any article, provided the authorship and source of the published article is cited. The copyright owner’s consent does not include copying for new works, or resale. In these cases, the specific written permission of INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY must first be obtained. Authors are requested to create a link to the published article on the journal’s website. The link must be accompanied by the following text: ‘‘The original publication is available on LINK at http://www.im.microbios.org’’. Please use the appropriate URL for the article in LINK. Articles disseminated via LINK are indexed, abstracted, and referenced by many abstracting and information services, bibliographic networks, subscription agencies, library networks, and consortia Disclaimer While the contents of this journal are believed to be true and accurate at the date of its publication, neither the authors and the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no guarantee, expressed or implied, with respect to material contained herein. Subscription information ISSN print edition 1139–6709 ISSN electronic edition 1618–1905 Volume 9 (4 issues) will appear in 2006 Recommended annual subscription rate incl. Basic LINK license: 300.00 € plus carriage charges. Single-issue prices are available upon request. SAL delivery (surface airmail lifted) is mandatory to Japan, North & South East Asia, India, Australia and New Zealand. Customers should ask for the appropriate price list. Airmail delivery to all other countries is available upon request. Orders or claims can either be placed via a bookseller or sent directly to: International Microbiology Jordi Ferran 14, ent. E-08028 Barcelona, Spain Tel. +34-934482373. Fax +34-933341079 E-mail: int.microbiol@microbios.org URL: http://www.im.microbios.org Cancellations must be received by September 30 to take effect at the end of the same year. Change of address: allow six weeks for all changes to become effective. All communications should include both old and new addresses (with postal codes) and should be accompanied by a mailing label from a recent issue. Electronic edition An electronic edition of this journal is available at http://www.im.microbios.org E-prints of the articles may be published before distribution of the printed journal. Authors must be aware that, after electronic publication, they cannot withdraw an article or change its content. Any corrections have to be made in an Erratum, which will be hyperlinked to the article. Information for librarians The 2006 Impact Factor (Thomson Scientific) of INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY is 2,455. The journal is indexed in: Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Abstracts; ASFA / Aquatic Sciences & Fisheries Abstracts; BIOSIS; CAB Abstracts; Chemical Abstracts; Current Contents® / Agriculture, Biology & Environmental Sciences®; EBSCO; EMBASE / Elservier Bibliographic Databases; Food Science and Technology Abstracts; ICYT/CINDOC; IBECS/BNCS; ISI Alerting Services®; MEDLINE® / Index Medicus®; Latíndex; MedBioWorldTM; SciELO, Spain; Science Citation Index Expanded®/SciSearch® (see back cover). Publisher Viguera Editores, S.L. Plaza Tetuán 7 E-08010 Barcelona, Spain info@viguera.com URL: htpp://www.viguera.com © 2006 Spanish Society for Microbiology (SEM) & Viguera Editores, S.L. Printed in Spain DL: B.23341-2004