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IUBMB: the first half-century

2005; Elsevier BV; Volume: 30; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.tibs.2005.04.011

1362-4326

Mary Osborn,

Biotechnology and Related Fields

‘In the growth of any flourishing science there comes a time when effective collaboration at an international level becomes essential both for the exchange of knowledge and for the rapid advancement of the subject.’ R.H.S Thompson, the first General Secretary of IUB [1Thompson R.H.S. The International Union of Biochemistry.ICSU Review. 1963; 5: 142-146Google Scholar]. This special issue of TIBS celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first General Assembly of the International Union of Biochemistry (IUB), which was held in London in 1955. ‘Because of the inseparable nature of the disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology’, the union decided to change its name in 1991 to the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB). Since then, the IUBMB has grown from a membership of 15 countries (each represented by an Adhering Body) in 1955 to 72 countries (represented by an Adhering Body with voting power, or an Associate Adhering Body without a vote) in 2005 (see Supplementary Material). The editorials in this special issue were specially commissioned, and the authors chosen, by the Editors of TiBS to illustrate the spectacular advances in the field since 1955. The past 50 years have seen the discovery of mRNA, the elucidation of the genetic code and understanding at the molecular level of how DNA makes RNA and how RNA makes protein, and of gene expression patterns (see the article by Mark Ptashne in this issue). It has been half a century of experimentation – based on both testing hypotheses and a firm belief that the basic processes in living cells and organisms obey the laws of physics and chemistry – and of surprises, as illustrated by the articles on splicing (by Phil Sharp) and RNAi (by David Baulcombe) in this issue. Our understanding of biochemical reactions, metabolic pathways and enzyme functions has increased dramatically. Knowledge of protein structure at atomic resolution has led to new insights into biological function and to rational drug design (see the article by Peter Moore and Thomas Steitz). Protein modifications have enabled a better understanding of how proteins function and how proteins are synthesized and degraded during the cell cycle (see the articles by Tony Pawson and John Scott, and Alexander Varshavsky in this issue). Moreover, the availability of complete genome sequences (currently 260 are published; http://wit.genomesonline.org) enables novel approaches to understand and possibly treat a wide spectrum of human diseases and has revolutionized our understanding of evolution. In 1965, Watson stated: ‘It is time to…produce the new texts that will give the biologist of the future the rigor, the perspective and the enthusiasm that will be needed to bridge the gap between the single cell and the complexities of higher organisms’ (see preface of Ref. [2Watson J.D. Molecular Biology of the Gene.1st edn. W.A. Benjamin, New York1965Google Scholar]). Forty years later, much more is known about what Watson referred to as ‘the most challenging biological problems: the structure of cell membranes, the nature of cancer, the fundamental mechanism(s) of differentiation, and how the ability to think arises from the organization of the central nervous system’ [2Watson J.D. Molecular Biology of the Gene.1st edn. W.A. Benjamin, New York1965Google Scholar]. Yet many of these problems are still not solved. This is particularly true of disease-related challenges and, although we understand the molecular defects that cause many diseases from sequencing patient DNA, we still cannot cure such diseases. The threat to public health posed by infectious diseases is still very real [3Garrett L. The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World out of Balance. Penguin Books, 1995Google Scholar], with diseases such as malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis threatening much of the population of the world. Countries in which these diseases are widespread usually have the least-well-developed economies and science infrastructure. These countries need to be empowered to use investment in science as a means to economic development [4Sachs J.D. The essential ingredient.New Sci. 2002; 175: 52-55Google Scholar]. Science is undervalued as a tool for foreign aid as can be seen by the low budgets assigned to the science division of UNESCO and the tropical diseases division of the WHO. Although the Internet has revolutionized communication in many parts of the world, large parts of Africa, South America and parts of Asia lack Internet access, which is essential for capacity building [5EditorialKeys to capacity.Nature. 2004; 427: 571Google Scholar]. Additional strategies are needed for linking scientists in developed and less-developed countries, for example, by concerted actions to promote research and training in the life sciences in developing countries [6Promoting Life Science Research and Training in Developing Countries: A need for concerted action. Report of a meeting held in Trieste, Italy, 8–10 November, 2003 (http://www.hfsp.org/pubs/Position_Papers/PromotingLifeScience2004.pdf)Google Scholar] or by twinning laboratories. The mission of the IUBMB is to foster and support the growth and advancement of biochemistry and molecular biology throughout the world, with particular concern for areas where biochemistry is less well developed. From the beginning, the IUB(MB) has supported international collaboration and the exchange of knowledge through its meetings and has involved scientists from all over the world in its activities. The IUB(MB) joined the ICSU in 1955 and, as a member, affirms the rights of scientists to join in international scientific affairs without regard to race, religion, political philosophy, ethnic origin, sex or language. In accordance with this mission, the IUBMB organizes large triennial international congresses at which all fields of biochemistry and molecular biology are represented and for which speakers are selected from many different countries. These congresses document the rapid advances in biochemistry and molecular biology since the IUB(MB) was founded. (In 2006, the 20th International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will be held in Kyoto and, in 2009, the 21st will be in Shanghai. For more information see Box 1.) In non-congress years, the IUBMB sponsors smaller more focused conferences. IUBMB congresses and conferences are held together with one of the IUBMB associated organizations (FEBS, FAOBMB, FASBMB and PABMB) or with an Adhering Body. The IUBMB also sponsors symposia, jubilee lectures and educational events at meetings organized by the associated organizations, by Adhering and Associate Adhering Bodies, or by other organizations.Related linksInternational Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB): http://www.iubmb.orgIUBMB congresses, conferences and special meetings: http://www.iubmb.org/IUBMBMEETINGS.HTMIUBMB Nomenclature Committees:• JCBN, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)–IUBMB Joint Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature, http://www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iupac/jcbn• NC–IUBMB, the Nomenclature Committee of the IUBMB, http://www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iubmb/enzymeEuropean Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO): http://www.embo.orgInternational Council for Science (ICSU): http://www.icsu.orgUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): http://portal.unesco.orgWorld Health Organization (WHO): http://www.who.intRegional associated organizations of the IUBMBFederation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB): http://www.bic.nus.edu.sg/faobmb/home.htmlFederation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (FASBMB): http://web.uct.ac.za/org/fasbmbFederation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS): http://www.febs.orgPanamerican Association for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PABMB): http://pabmb.fcien.edu.uy/main1.htm International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB): http://www.iubmb.org IUBMB congresses, conferences and special meetings: http://www.iubmb.org/IUBMBMEETINGS.HTM IUBMB Nomenclature Committees: • JCBN, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)–IUBMB Joint Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature, http://www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iupac/jcbn • NC–IUBMB, the Nomenclature Committee of the IUBMB, http://www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iubmb/enzyme European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO): http://www.embo.org International Council for Science (ICSU): http://www.icsu.org United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): http://portal.unesco.org World Health Organization (WHO): http://www.who.int Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB): http://www.bic.nus.edu.sg/faobmb/home.html Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (FASBMB): http://web.uct.ac.za/org/fasbmb Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS): http://www.febs.org Panamerican Association for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PABMB): http://pabmb.fcien.edu.uy/main1.htm In the past decade, the IUBMB has emphasized career support for young scientists to foster the exchange of ideas and the formation of personal contacts and international networks that are essential for first-rate science. The IUBMB supports a Young Scientist Program, with 70–120 participants, at congresses and a more modest one at conferences. In addition, the IUBMB Wood–Whelan fellowship program provides support for short-term visits between laboratories in different countries and, currently, 12–15 such fellowships can be funded each year. To expand, the scheme requires more funds; the IUBMB is delighted to receive donations for this or other purposes at any time. Journals also have essential roles in the dissemination of results. TiBS, an IUBMB Journal, dates from 1976 and provides additional income for IUBMB. Other IUBMB journals include IUBMB Life and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education (BAMBEd). The IUBMB publishes in collaboration with Sigma-Aldrich (http://www.sigmaaldrich.com) the IUBMB-Nicholson Metabolic Maps, Minimaps and Animaps. Another important facet of the IUBMB is the role its Nomenclature Committees have in the international standardization of nomenclature and in the classification of enzyme-catalyzed reactions (see Box 1). The IUBMB is run by an Executive Committee, which is elected by the General Assembly, that consists of delegates nominated by the Adhering and Associate Adhering Bodies. The Presidents, General Secretaries and Treasurers of IUB(MB) since its foundation, and the current members of the Executive Committee are listed in Box 2, Box 3, respectively. Unfortunately, owing to space limitations, the many other scientists who serve on committees and on editorial boards of IUBMB journals cannot be listed. For more information on the history of IUB(MB) see Refs [1Thompson R.H.S. The International Union of Biochemistry.ICSU Review. 1963; 5: 142-146Google Scholar, 7Slater, E.C. The history of IUB(MB). IUBMB Life (in press)Google Scholar], and for more information on activities of the IUBMB see Refs [7Slater, E.C. The history of IUB(MB). IUBMB Life (in press)Google Scholar, 8Clark B.F.C. The IUBMB today.Trends Biochem. Sci. 2002; 27: 269-271Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar, 9Osborn, M. Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of IUBMB. IUBMB Life (in press)Google Scholar].Historical capsulePresidents, General Secretaries and Treasurers of the IUB(MB) since 1955:PresidentsM. Florkin (Belgium; 1955–1961), S. Ochoa (USA; 1961–1967), A.H.T. Theorell (Sweden; 1967–1973), O. Hayaishi (Japan; 1973–1976), A.A. Bayev (Russia; 1976–1979), F. Lynen (Germany; 1979), H.G. Wood (USA; 1979–1985), M. Grunberg-Manago (France; 1985–1988), E.C. Slater (Netherlands; 1988–1991), H.L. Kornberg (UK; 1991–1994), K. Yagi (Japan; 1994–97), W.J. Whelan (USA; 1997–2000), B.F.C Clark (Denmark; 2000–2003), M. Osborn (Germany; 2003–present).General SecretariesR.H.S. Thompson (UK; 1955–1964), P. Desnuelle (France; 1964–1970), H.G. Wood (USA; 1970–1973), W.J. Whelan (USA; 1973–1983), R.L. Hill (USA; 1983–1991), H. Kleinkauf (Germany; 1991–1998), F. Vella (Canada; 1998-2000), J.H. Weil (France; 2001–present).TreasurersE.H. Stotz (USA; 1955–1967), F.G. Young (UK; 1967–1971), E.C. Slater (Netherlands; 1971–1979), W.F.J. Cuthbertson (UK; 1979–1981), K. Yagi (Japan; 1981–1988), A.W. Linnane (Australia; 1988–1997), R.B. Beechey (UK; 1998), E.C. Slater (UK; 1999–2000), P. Dolphin (Canada; 2001), R.B. Beechey (2001–2003), J.J.H.H.M. de Pont (Netherlands; 2004–present).IUBMB Executive Committee (2003–2006)President, Mary Osborn (FRG); President Elect, George L. Kenyon (USA); General Secretary, Jacques-Henry Weil (France); Treasurer, Jan Joep H.H.M. de Pont (The Netherlands); Publications, Angelo Azzi (Switzerland); Symposia and Interest Groups, Vito Turk (Slovenia); Networking, Industrial Relations and Biotechnology, Ken-ichi Arai (Japan); Congresses and Conferences, Knut-Jan Andersen (Norway); Education, Cecilia Hidalgo (Chile). Presidents, General Secretaries and Treasurers of the IUB(MB) since 1955: M. Florkin (Belgium; 1955–1961), S. Ochoa (USA; 1961–1967), A.H.T. Theorell (Sweden; 1967–1973), O. Hayaishi (Japan; 1973–1976), A.A. Bayev (Russia; 1976–1979), F. Lynen (Germany; 1979), H.G. Wood (USA; 1979–1985), M. Grunberg-Manago (France; 1985–1988), E.C. Slater (Netherlands; 1988–1991), H.L. Kornberg (UK; 1991–1994), K. Yagi (Japan; 1994–97), W.J. Whelan (USA; 1997–2000), B.F.C Clark (Denmark; 2000–2003), M. Osborn (Germany; 2003–present). R.H.S. Thompson (UK; 1955–1964), P. Desnuelle (France; 1964–1970), H.G. Wood (USA; 1970–1973), W.J. Whelan (USA; 1973–1983), R.L. Hill (USA; 1983–1991), H. Kleinkauf (Germany; 1991–1998), F. Vella (Canada; 1998-2000), J.H. Weil (France; 2001–present). E.H. Stotz (USA; 1955–1967), F.G. Young (UK; 1967–1971), E.C. Slater (Netherlands; 1971–1979), W.F.J. Cuthbertson (UK; 1979–1981), K. Yagi (Japan; 1981–1988), A.W. Linnane (Australia; 1988–1997), R.B. Beechey (UK; 1998), E.C. Slater (UK; 1999–2000), P. Dolphin (Canada; 2001), R.B. Beechey (2001–2003), J.J.H.H.M. de Pont (Netherlands; 2004–present). President, Mary Osborn (FRG); President Elect, George L. Kenyon (USA); General Secretary, Jacques-Henry Weil (France); Treasurer, Jan Joep H.H.M. de Pont (The Netherlands); Publications, Angelo Azzi (Switzerland); Symposia and Interest Groups, Vito Turk (Slovenia); Networking, Industrial Relations and Biotechnology, Ken-ichi Arai (Japan); Congresses and Conferences, Knut-Jan Andersen (Norway); Education, Cecilia Hidalgo (Chile). The IUBMB is full of confidence as it enters its second half-century. The scientific challenges facing biochemists and molecular biologists are still enormous, but, if solved, have the possibility of conferring real benefit on mankind in terms of increased knowledge and providing cures for disease. The IUBMB welcomes the increased collaboration with FEBS, FAOBMB, FASBMB and PABMB in addition to those with other international organizations such as EMBO and with its own Adhering Bodies and Associated Adhering Bodies. Given the globalization of science, the increase in scientific exchange between developed and developing countries and the change in scientific migration patterns that might occur in the next 1–2 decades [10Mashelkar R.A. India's R&D: reaching for the top.Science. 2005; 307: 1415-1417Crossref PubMed Scopus (33) Google Scholar], one can conclude that, although much has been accomplished, much more remains to be achieved. Download .ppt (2.48 MB) Help with ppt files Image 1