The French Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Mission & Vision

The Société Française de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire (SFBBM) strives to develop and promote Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in research and teaching, both in universities and centres of research as well as in industry.

Key Activities

• SFBBM organizes an Annual Congress and a Forum of Young researchers, together with several meetings of its 15 interest groups
• SFBBM organizes or co-organizes annually several meetings and workshops, especially through or in association with the ‘Groupes Thématiques’ which represent the main areas of modern biology.
• SFBBM has pledged to promote both teaching and research in biochemistry. Consistent with this undertaking, SFBBM provides fellowships for students and young scientists to attend meetings in France or abroad.
• Each year, SFBBM awards two major prizes: The Dina-Surdin Prize is awarded to a post-doctoral fellow on the basis of the excellence of a PhD thesis; and The Maurice Nicloux Prize is awarded to a young scientist for distinguished scientific accomplishments.
• SFBBM publishes the monthly journal Biochimie which enjoys a solid and increasing reputation.

History

The SFBBM was founded in 1914. The aim was to initiate the gathering of scientists who share a common vision: the promotion of the study of the chemical and physicochemical reactions which are at the heart of any living cell or organism in nature.

Members of the SFBBM are involved in learned societies devoted to biochemistry at the international level. Thus, the SFBBM has belonged to FEBS since its formation in 1964.

The SFBBM and its members are also strongly involved in the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB). Such links allow our young members to benefit from the fellowships and awards distributed by those international bodies and to welcome in our laboratories foreign students or post-doctoral fellows as well as distinguished lecturers.

The SFBBM has over the years displayed a strong tradition of integrating evolution and adaptation. In the present times of calling into question biology and science in general, such a tradition inspires the biochemists and molecular biologists of today to strive towards the continuation of this scientific venture.

Membership

The SFBBM has approx. 2000 members (2012). Four times a year, each member receives a Newsletter, Regard sur la Biochimie, which presents minireviews and meeting reports as well as news from the Society and from related societies and academies, a calendar of scientific events and career opportunities.

SFBBM President: Dr Martin Picard, Institut de Biologie Physico Chimique, Paris, France.