But, it’s not just the students who are breaking down traditional walls.

Searson notes he’s had numerous scientists from around the world talk to him and question how INBT, with so many joint initiatives, handles tricky issues like co-authorship or assigning principal investigators. “And, I tell them it never has been a problem; our members understand the stakes and the great potential of the INBT and are willing to put aside some of their own individual gains.”

Because, sometimes, you just have to break with tradition.

Nick Zagorski (nzagorski@asbmb.org) is a science writer at ASBMB.