Biochemical Society

The Biochemical Society is a learned society in the United Kingdom in the field of biochemistry, including all the cellular & molecular biosciences. It currently has around 6000 members, two-thirds in the UK. It is affiliated with the European body, Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS).

The Society's president is Sir Philip Cohen.

Its headquarters are in Holborn, London, UK.

Scholar publishing is carried out by the Society's not-for-profit publishing company Portland Press Ltd principally through its flagship journal Biochemical Journal.

Mission

The aim of the Society is to promote the advancement of the science of Biochemistry. It will do so in the context of cellular and molecular life sciences as a seamless continuum.

Opportunities are provided for members to exchange opinions and discuss matters relating to research connected with cellular and molecular life sciences.

The Society holds appropriate scientific meetings and publishes relevant scientific material, either on its own or with others.

The Society seeks close co-operation with related societies to enhance its effectiveness in scientific and cost terms. It works towards the establishment of an umbrella organization to cover learned society aspects of cellular and molecular life sciences.

The Society does not distinguish between the public and private sectors in promoting cellular and molecular life sciences.

History

The society was founded in 1911 by Benjamin Moore and others, under the name of the Biochemical Club. It acquired the existing "Biochemical Journal" in 1912. The society name changed to the Biochemical Society in 1913.

In 2005, the headquarters of the society moved from Portland Place, London, UK. to offices in Holborn, London, UK.

The "Biochemical Journal" celebrated its centenary in 2006 with the launch of a free online archive back to its first issue in 1906.

Activities

The Biochemical Society runs a vibrant programme of scientific meetings, the science for these meetings is generated by the active members of the Theme Panels and from members of the scientific community. The society gives several awards and medals for achievement in the field of biochemical research. It works with the Biosciences Federation to influence science policy, and also supports biochemical education at school and university level by grants, workshops and careers events.

Benefits of being a member of the Society include:
* Grants and Bursaries to attend meetings internationally
* Ability to use the journal as a teaching resource
* Online access to the Biochemical Journal
* Online access to Biochemical Society Transactions
* Information and participation in debates on policy, professional and education issues

The Biochemical Society also produces a membership magazine called "The Biochemist", this is printed six times a year.

Publication and online resources include:

*"Biochemical Journal"
*"Biochemical Society Symposia"
*"Biochemical Society Transactions"
*"Biology of the Cell"
*"Bioscience Reports"
*"Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry"
*"Cell Signalling Biology" (online only)
*"Clinical Science"
*"Essays in Biochemistry"

Further reading

*Goodwin, TW (1987) "History of the Biochemical Society", Portland Press

External links

* [http://www.biochemistry.org/ Biochemical Society]
* [http://www.portlandpress.com/pp/default.htm Portland Press]