Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Escherichia. It is commonly found in endotherms. Most Escherichia coli strains are harmless, but some can cause food poisoning in their hosts, and are occasionally responsible for product recalls due to food contamination. The harmless strains are part of the normal flora of the gut, and can benefit their hosts and preventing colonization of the intestine with pathogenic bacteria. A journal is a periodical publication intended to further progress of science, usually by reporting new research.