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ASBMB is the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: a membership society that publishes four open-access journals, runs an annual scientific meeting and supports training for molecular life scientists. This guide separates those three things, lists what each journal covers, and walks through the abstract-submission steps and 2027-cycle deadlines as published on asbmb.org (read 2026-11-07).
What ASBMB is
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology was founded in 1906. Its stated mission is “building and empowering a broad community of molecular life scientists to advance discovery,” and it reports about 11,000 members. Its work falls into dissemination of research (journals and the meeting), education and training, and advocacy. For the disciplines it serves, see CASRAI guides to biochemistry and molecular biology.
Who runs it and what it covers
ASBMB is a member society with committees, including a Publications Committee for its journals. Its public site is organised into Journals, Annual Meeting, Training, Professional Development and Education (accreditation, an exam and teaching resources) and ASBMB Today, the member magazine, which reports news on research published in its journals.
The four ASBMB journals
| Journal | Scope as stated by ASBMB |
|---|---|
| Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC) | Molecular and cellular basis of biological processes, including methods and resources. Accepted manuscripts are made available to the public free within 48 hours of acceptance. |
| Molecular & Cellular Proteomics (MCP) | Proteomics; ASBMB notes the journal helped set mass-spectrometry reporting standards. |
| Journal of Lipid Research (JLR) | Lipids in health and disease. |
| Insights in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IBMB) | The newest title, accepting de novo submissions beginning in 2026. |
ASBMB describes all of its journals as gold open access. For JBC metrics, see the CASRAI term Journal of Biological Chemistry impact factor.
The ASBMB annual meeting
As of 2026-11-07 the Annual Meeting page presents the 2027 meeting in Boston, with Peter S. Kim as keynote, plenaries on AI-guided protein design, the human microbiome in pharmacology and organoids, and W. Mike Henne and Amy E. Palmer as co-chairs. The 2026 meeting is listed as National Harbor. The 2027 call for abstracts is the part most searchers need next.
How to submit an abstract
- Open the Annual Meeting section of asbmb.org and choose the abstracts page for the meeting year.
- Read the three policies listed there: the abstract submission instructions, the scientific integrity policy, and the abstract revision and withdrawal policy.
- Select Submit abstract.
- Indicate whether you want to be considered for a symposium talk.
2027 abstract timeline
| Date (as listed) | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Sept. 15 | Abstract and travel award applications open |
| Oct. 30 | Early-decision deadline |
| Nov. 12 | Early-decision notifications |
| Dec. 8 | Regular abstract deadline |
| Jan. 6 | Late-breaking abstracts open |
| Jan. 15 | Regular-deadline notifications |
| Jan. 27 | Late-breaking deadline |
Format and fees as listed: spotlight talks are 10 minutes and lightning talks 3 minutes; late-breaking abstracts are poster-only. The abstract fee is $75 for members and $125 for nonmembers. Presented abstracts are published in a virtual supplement of an ASBMB gold open-access publication.
Strengths and limits
- Strength: one society links journals, a meeting and training in the same community.
- Strength: the journals are described as gold open access, and JBC accepted manuscripts are public within 48 hours of acceptance.
- Limit: scope is molecular life science; work outside it fits other societies’ meetings better.
- Limit: an abstract fee applies at submission ($75 members, $125 nonmembers).
Alternatives and related reading
| If you want | See |
|---|---|
| A federation of biomedical societies and its journal | FASEB: Biomedical Coalition and Journal Guide |
| Cell-focused research areas | What Is Cell Biology? |
FAQ
What does ASBMB stand for?
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, founded in 1906.
Where is ASBMB 2026 and 2027?
ASBMB lists the 2026 meeting at National Harbor and the 2027 meeting in Boston (as of 2026-11-07).
What are the ASBMB journals?
JBC, MCP, JLR and IBMB, all described as gold open access (table above).
What is ASBMB Today?
The society member magazine, covering news about research in JBC, MCP and JLR.
When is the ASBMB abstract deadline?
For the 2027 meeting the regular deadline is Dec. 8, with a Jan. 27 deadline for late-breaking poster abstracts.
Sources
- ASBMB, About (asbmb.org/about), read 2026-11-07.
- ASBMB, Publications (asbmb.org/publications), read 2026-11-07.
- ASBMB, Annual Meeting and Abstracts (asbmb.org/annual-meeting and /annual-meeting/abstracts), read 2026-11-07.
