American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Encyclopedia
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASMBM) is a learned society
that was founded on December 26, 1906 at a meeting organized by John Jacob Abel
(Johns Hopkins University
). The roots of the society were in the American Physiological Society
, which had been formed some 20 years earlier.
The ASBMB was originally called the American Society of Biological Chemists, before obtaining its current name in 1987. The society is based on the campus of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
(FEBS) in Bethesda, Maryland
. ASBMB's mission is to advance the science of biochemistry
and molecular biology
through publication of scientific
and educational journals, the organization of scientific meetings, advocacy for funding of basic research and education, support of science education at all levels, and by promoting the diversity of individuals entering the scientific workforce. The organization currently has over 12,000 members.
and cover research in the fields of microbiology
, molecular genetics, RNA
-related research, proteomics
, genomics
, transcription, peptides, cell signaling
, lipidomics, and systems biology
. All articles are published online as "Papers in Press" upon acceptance.
and the National Science Foundation
. Advocacy efforts also focus on protecting the conditions that promote a successful research environment. In addition, the office works to maintain a healthy relationship between ASBMB members, government officials, and the public in order to foster awareness of the importance of science to everyday life.
Learned society
A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...
that was founded on December 26, 1906 at a meeting organized by John Jacob Abel
John Jacob Abel
John Jacob Abel was a significant American biochemist and pharmacologist.Born near Cleveland, Ohio, he graduated with a Ph.D. in 1883 from the University of Michigan. In 1891 he founded and chaired the first department of pharmacology in the United States at the University of Michigan...
(Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
). The roots of the society were in the American Physiological Society
American Physiological Society
The American Physiological Society was founded in 1887 with 28 members. Of them, 21 were graduates of medical schools, but only 12 had studied in schools that had a professor of physiology. Today, the APS has 10,500 members, most of whom hold doctoral degrees in medicine, physiology or other...
, which had been formed some 20 years earlier.
The ASBMB was originally called the American Society of Biological Chemists, before obtaining its current name in 1987. The society is based on the campus of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, abbreviated FASEB, is a non-profit organization that is the principal umbrella organization of U.S. societies in the field of biological and medical research. FASEB organizes academic conferences and publishes scientific literature...
(FEBS) in Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
. ASBMB's mission is to advance the science of biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
and molecular biology
Molecular biology
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the molecular basis of biological activity. This field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry...
through publication of scientific
Scientific journal
In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research. There are thousands of scientific journals in publication, and many more have been published at various points in the past...
and educational journals, the organization of scientific meetings, advocacy for funding of basic research and education, support of science education at all levels, and by promoting the diversity of individuals entering the scientific workforce. The organization currently has over 12,000 members.
Publications
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology publishes three research journals and a monthly magazine covering society news and activity updates. ASBMB journals are peer-reviewedPeer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
and cover research in the fields of microbiology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
, molecular genetics, RNA
RNA
Ribonucleic acid , or RNA, is one of the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life....
-related research, proteomics
Proteomics
Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, as they are the main components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. The term "proteomics" was first coined in 1997 to make an analogy with...
, genomics
Genomics
Genomics is a discipline in genetics concerning the study of the genomes of organisms. The field includes intensive efforts to determine the entire DNA sequence of organisms and fine-scale genetic mapping efforts. The field also includes studies of intragenomic phenomena such as heterosis,...
, transcription, peptides, cell signaling
Cell signaling
Cell signaling is part of a complex system of communication that governs basic cellular activities and coordinates cell actions. The ability of cells to perceive and correctly respond to their microenvironment is the basis of development, tissue repair, and immunity as well as normal tissue...
, lipidomics, and systems biology
Systems biology
Systems biology is a term used to describe a number of trends in bioscience research, and a movement which draws on those trends. Proponents describe systems biology as a biology-based inter-disciplinary study field that focuses on complex interactions in biological systems, claiming that it uses...
. All articles are published online as "Papers in Press" upon acceptance.
- The Journal of Biological ChemistryJournal of Biological ChemistryThe Journal of Biological Chemistry is a weekly peer-reviewed scientific journal that was established in 1905. Since 1925 it is published by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. It covers research in any area of biochemistry or molecular biology. The editor-in-chief is...
publishes research in any area of biochemistry or molecular biology, both in print and online, weekly. - Molecular & Cellular ProteomicsMolecular & Cellular ProteomicsMolecular & Cellular Proteomics is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal established in 2002 and published by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology...
is a monthly online only publication. Articles appearing in MCP "...describe the structural and functional properties of proteins and their expression, particularly with respect to the developmental time courses of the organism of which they are a part." The journal also publishes other content such as "HUPO views" (reports from the Human Proteome OrganizationHuman Proteome OrganizationThe Human Proteome Organization is an international consortium of national proteomics research associations, government researchers, academic institutions, and industry partners...
), proceedings from HUPO meetings, and the proceedings of the International Symposium On Mass Spectrometry In The Life Sciences. - The Journal of Lipid ResearchJournal of Lipid ResearchThe Journal of Lipid Research is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal that was established in 1959. Since 2000, it is published by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. It covers research in: "...the science of lipids in health and disease. The Journal emphasizes lipid...
covers "...the science of lipidsLipidLipids constitute a broad group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins , monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, and others...
in health and disease. The Journal emphasizes lipid function and the biochemical and geneticGeneticsGenetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
regulation of lipid metabolismMetabolismMetabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
. In addition, JLR publishes manuscripts on patient-oriented and epidemiologicalEpidemiologyEpidemiology is the study of health-event, health-characteristic, or health-determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based medicine by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive...
research relating to altered lipid metabolism, including modification of dietary lipids." - ASBMB Today is the society's monthly news magazine. It contains extensive coverage of awards, meetings, research highlights, job placement advertising and human interest articles. All ASBMB members receive a complimentary subscription to ASBMB Today.
2010
The 2010 awards and winners are:- Herbert Tabor/Journal of Biological Chemistry Lectureship: Phillip A. SharpPhillip Allen SharpPhillip Allen Sharp is an American geneticist and molecular biologist who co-discovered RNA splicing. He shared the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Richard J...
- Avanti Young Investigator Award in Lipid Research: Sarah L. Keller
- Avanti Award in Lipids: David W. Russell
- ASBMB Merck-Award: James A. Wells
- ASBMB Young Investigator Award, formerly Schering-Plough Research Institute Award: John J. G. Tesmer
- ASBMB Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education: Lisa N. Gentile
- FASEB Excellence in Science Award: Susan S. Taylor
- Herbert A. Sober Lectureship: Ruedi Aebersold
- William C. Rose Award: Daniel Herschlag
2008
The 2008 awards and winners are:- ASBMB Merck Award : C. David Allis
- Avanti Award in Lipids : Alexandra C. Newton
- ASBMB/Schering-Plough Research Institute Award : Scott A. Strobel
- Herbert Tabor/Journal of Biological Chemistry Lectureship : I. Robert Lehman
- Howard K. SchachmanHoward SchachmanHoward K. Schachman is a Professor of the Graduate School in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley.Schachman received a Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1948. He has been on the faculty of UC Berkeley ever since. He signed but protested the loyalty oath...
Public Service Award : Michael N. Castle - ASBMB Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education : Michael F. Summers
- William C. Rose AwardWilliam C. Rose AwardThe William C. Rose Award given by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology recognizes outstanding contributions to biochemical and molecular biological research and a demonstrated commitment to the training of younger scientists, as epitomized by the late American nutritionist...
: John D. ScottJohn D. ScottJohn D. Scott is an American singer, songwriter and vocal coach. He has been teaching music since 1994 and performing since 1988. Scott’s main influences are gospel, pop, rock, and R&B.-Songwriter:... - Herbert A. Sober Lectureship : S. Walter Englander
Meetings
ASBMB hosts and sponsors numerous meetings each year. The annual meeting is held each April in conjunction with the FEBS meeting. Additionally, special symposia are organized throughout the year.Advocacy
The Public Affairs Office works with the PAAC to advocate for increased research budgets for the major governmental funding agencies, primarily the National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
and the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
. Advocacy efforts also focus on protecting the conditions that promote a successful research environment. In addition, the office works to maintain a healthy relationship between ASBMB members, government officials, and the public in order to foster awareness of the importance of science to everyday life.
External links
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology records, 1906-2005 at the University of Maryland