Reflections on the 50-year history of the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB).

ABSTRACT

The Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists, Inc. (FAOBMB) celebrates its Golden Jubilee in 2022. Established in August 1972 as a regional grouping of three national societies of biochemists in Australia, India and Japan, it took the name Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists (FAOB). The Federation rapidly grew to encompass another 12 national societies (or groups) of biochemists within 6 years, eventually increasing the number of Constituent Members to 21 by 2014. FAOB soon established regular scientific meetings, including triennial Congresses and annual Symposia; from 1980 FAOB Travel Fellowships enabled regional young scientists to participate in them. In 1992, FAOB was constituted as an Incorporated Association in Victoria, Australia, changing its name 1 year later (yielding the acronym FAOBMB). A printed Newsletter/Bulletin was distributed through each Constituent Society or Group from 1972 to 1999. With the advent of the internet and email in the late 1990s, communication rapidly improved, such that the first webpage of FAOBMB was set up in 1995. From the inception of the Federation, an international journal sponsored by FAOB was foreshadowed but only commenced in 1997, sadly lasting only 6 years. Education in biochemistry and molecular biology became prominent in FAOBMB from the 1990s. In the 21st century, awards to high-achieving scientists and educationists were introduced, the first being the Young Scientist Awards in 2006. The Fellowships program was extended to young educationists in 2018. FAOB(MB) has been supported by the International Union of Biochemistry (and Molecular Biology) almost its entire history, mostly for support of Congresses, Conferences and Symposia, but also for Young Scientist Programs. The most recent challenge to FAOBMB came with the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Committee and the Constituent Members rapidly adapted to virtual communications for their administrative meetings and Education Symposia, and a memorable Congress was held totally on-line in 2021.