Brazilian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

SBBq was founded in 1967 by a group of research leaders in Brazilian Biochemistry. The initial idea was to organize meetings where researchers could exchange experiences and report the results of their work. These meetings, held in São Paulo, initially included conferences and debates about scientific subjects and also political and organizational issues. In 1970, the members of the SBBq Executive Committee decided to hold their future meetings in Caxambu. This town is approximately equidistant from Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the centers that at the time were responsible for 90% of Brazilian Science. The first Biochemical Meeting held in Caxambu in 1972 was attended by few researchers and graduate students. Plenary lectures were organized on site and the students made oral presentations of their theses. In 1975 the event’s name changed to ‘The Brazilian Biochemistry Society Annual Meeting’. Since then, the encounters grew in number and quality, in a proportion never imagined by the Society’s founding partners. In 1978, upon recommendation of the Directory Council and ratification by the Ordinary General Assembly of the XVII Annual Meeting, the name of SBBq changed to ‘Brazilian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’. Throughout its 36 years in existence, SBBq has played a decisive part in the growth and development of Brazilian Biochemistry, proposing plans and actions which contribute toward national policy formation, educational, technological and scientific development. SBBq also serves as a contact vehicle and source of qualified information for the Brazilian society. SBBq keeps its regular activities by promoting national and international contacts with its congeneric societies. It is a member of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC), Experimental Biology Society Federation (FESBE) and the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB). Currently, SBBq has 491 active Ordinary Members, including many of Brazil´s most important scientists from different segments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The Society also includes 676 Associate Members, who are mostly graduate students.