Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Founded1955
FounderRudi Lemberg
Websitewww.asbmb.org.au

The Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) is an academic society founded in 1955.[1] Originally named Australian Biochemical Society, it was renamed to its current title in 1990.[1] Its main activities include hosting scientific conferences, supporting ancillary symposia, workshops and publishing an educational magazine.[2]

History[edit]

Biochemical research in Australia began in the 1920s in the Australian national science agency Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (now the CSIRO).[1] The first university biochemistry department then started at the University of Adelaide under Thorburn Brailsford Robertson. There was initially a joint biochemistry and physiology section within the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science.[1]

The society began in 1955 as the Australian Biochemical Society, with Rudi Lemberg as its founding president.[3] It was based on Lemberg's experience with the British Biochemical Society and Hugh Ennor's meetings with the International Union of Biochemistry and relevant university department heads in Australia.[1] Additional key initial members included Frederick Collins as treasurer and Victor Trikojus in a recruitment role.[1]

Meetings and activities[edit]

ASBMB has hosted a yearly meeting each year since 1956.[4][5] It has also coordinated the joint ComBio meeting with societies in related research fields since 1999.[1][6] It also supports smaller special interest group meetings, symposia, workshops, conferences, and school science competitions.[2]

Publications[edit]

The society publishes the magazine Australian Biochemist with three issues per year.[7][8] The publication started in 1998, following on from the ABS/ASBMB newsletter, which was started in 1970.[9]

Awards[edit]

ASBMB gives out an array of annual awards in different categories.[10]

  • Lemberg Medal - after 5 years' membership for significant contribution[11]
  • Shimadzu Research Medal - within 15 years post-PhD graduation
  • Eppendorf Edman ECR Award - within 7 years post-PhD
  • SDR Scientific Education Award - education (especially innovation and creativity)
  • Boomerang Award - for expatriate Australians to return to present at the ASBMB conference and seminars at universities/institutes.

The society also awards fellowships to researchers within 2 years post-PhD.[10]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Friedman, Liana (2010-05-11). "The history of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology". IUBMB Life. 62 (7): 486–491. doi:10.1002/iub.339. PMID 20552643. S2CID 20205912.
  2. ^ a b "About ASBMB". ASBMB. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  3. ^ Barrett, J.; Robertson, R. N. (1979). "Max Rudolf Lemberg". Historical Records of Australian Science. 4 (1): 133–156. doi:10.1071/hr9790410133. ISSN 1448-5508. S2CID 4161347.
  4. ^ "Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)". Science and Technology Australia. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  5. ^ "Scientific Meetings". ASBMB. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  6. ^ "ComBio". ASBMB. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  7. ^ "Australian biochemist : the magazine of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Inc". Trove. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  8. ^ "Magazine". ASBMB. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  9. ^ ASBMB National Office archive (Archive), Kent Town SA
  10. ^ a b "ASBMB awards". ASBMB. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  11. ^ "Lemberg Medal and Oration". Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation. Retrieved 2024-01-31.