International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
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Name	International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Formation	1955
Type	Non-governmental organization
Headquarters	Lausanne
Leader title	President

International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is an international non-governmental organization founded to promote research and education in biochemical and molecular biological sciences. It collaborates with national societies, international bodies and research institutions to coordinate scientific programs, standardization efforts and global conferences across continents such as Europe, Asia and Africa. The Union interacts with organizations including the International Council for Science, World Health Organization, European Molecular Biology Organization, and national academies such as the Royal Society, National Academy of Sciences (United States), and Chinese Academy of Sciences.

History

The Union was established in the mid-20th century amid post-war scientific reconstruction influenced by figures associated with Nobel Prize laureates and institutions like the Pasteur Institute, Max Planck Society, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Early milestones involved liaison with the International Council of Scientific Unions, coordination with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and engagement with regional bodies such as the European Commission and the African Academy of Sciences. Historical congresses and collaborations connected leaders from the Royal Society of Chemistry, American Chemical Society, Japanese Biochemical Society, and researchers affiliated with universities like University of Oxford, Harvard University, University of Tokyo, and University of Cambridge.

Organization and Governance

Governance is conducted through an elected Executive Committee, Commissions and Committees that mirror governance models used by entities such as the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, International Union of Immunological Societies, and the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry. Officers have included presidents, vice-presidents and secretaries drawn from institutions like University of California, Berkeley, ETH Zurich, University of Paris, and Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry. The Union coordinates with national adhering bodies including the Biochemical Society, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federation of European Biochemical Societies, and regional networks such as the Asian Federation of Biotechnology.

Scientific Programs and Initiatives

The Union sponsors training programs, education initiatives and capacity-building efforts in partnership with organizations like the World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme, International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Wellcome Trust. Programs emphasize molecular techniques used in laboratories such as Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory courses and promote standardization alongside bodies like International Organization for Standardization and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. Initiatives have connected research priorities exemplified by projects at Salk Institute, Broad Institute, Francis Crick Institute, and collaborations involving investigators from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Peking University.

Congresses and Conferences

The Union organizes periodic international congresses and sponsors specialty meetings modeled on events like the Gordon Research Conferences, Cold Spring Harbor Symposia, FASEB meetings and regional symposia in partnership with national societies such as the Biochemical Society and the Japanese Biochemical Society. Major congresses attract delegations from institutions including National Institutes of Health, European Molecular Biology Organization, Institut Pasteur, and universities such as University of Toronto and Seoul National University. Conferences often feature plenary lectures by researchers affiliated with Karolinska Institute, Weizmann Institute of Science, University of Melbourne, and McGill University.

Awards and Fellowships

The Union confers awards and supports fellowships comparable to recognitions administered by the Royal Society, National Academy of Sciences (United States), EMBO Fellowship programs and prizes linked historically to benefactors and foundations such as the Gairdner Foundation and the Lasker Foundation. Awardees have included scientists whose work was also recognized by the Nobel Prize, Wolf Prize, and Crafoord Prize, with fellows hosted at laboratories like Max Planck Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and Institut Pasteur.

Publications and Standards

The Union has been instrumental in fostering publication of biochemical nomenclature and standards alongside journals and publishers including Nature, Science (journal), Journal of Biological Chemistry, EMBO Journal, and organizations such as the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry for nomenclature harmonization. It contributes to consensus statements, nomenclature committees and databases that inform resources like the Protein Data Bank, UniProt, and standards referenced by agencies including the World Health Organization and European Medicines Agency.

Membership and Affiliated Societies

Membership comprises national adhering bodies and affiliated societies analogous to memberships held by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biochemical Society (United Kingdom), Federation of European Biochemical Societies, Japanese Biochemical Society, Chinese Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and regional groups across continents including societies in India, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, and Canada. Affiliated organizations include research institutions such as the Max Planck Society, EMBL, Institut Pasteur, and universities engaged in collaborative programs with the Union.

Category:International scientific organizations