120 Years of discovery: ASBMB continues the story of science

There is a room at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s headquarters lined from wall to wall with every print issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry published since 1905. These volumes tell a remarkable story: enzymes once seen as mysterious “ferments” are now precision molecular machines, DNA has gone from an indecipherable code to something we can read and edit, and hand-drawn molecular sketches have become atomic-resolution structures. Laboratories, once illuminated by gaslight, now sit in state-of-the-art buildings with core facilities equipped with next-generation technologies. I marvel at how quickly we have advanced in a relatively short span of time when I see 120 years of discoveries arranged side by side on a shelf, each volume turning the page for the breakthroughs to follow.

That ever-evolving story continues today. ASBMB will be expanding its publishing portfolio with Insights into Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, a new open-access journal dedicated to emerging areas of research across the molecular life sciences. Like all ASBMB’s journals, IBMB provides a trusted platform for rigorous, peer-reviewed science, but it also welcomes early-stage findings, new approaches and cross-disciplinary work that may point toward the next big leap in understanding.

Keeping this story going also requires science advocates. ASBMB works tirelessly to ensure that fundamental research is supported. As a member, you can contribute to this effort. You can apply for the Advocacy Training Program or the Art of Science Communication course to learn how to effectively share the importance of research. Stay up to date on policy developments and events through the advocacy Action Center, contribute to letter-writing campaigns, or use our advocacy toolkit to help amplify the voice of science. Your membership dues also directly support ASBMB’s advocacy work — so if you haven’t yet renewed for 2026, now is a great time to do so.

The Winter 2026 issue of ASBMB Today underscores the essential role of fundamental research in advancing our understanding of the world and informing the development of future applications. In this issue you will find stories about NAD signaling and lifespan as well as genetic mutations that keep muscles young. You’ll also read about Meng Wang’s research on the connection between metabolism and aging, a topic she’ll explore in her plenary talk at the 2026 ASBMB Annual Meeting during the “Racing the Clock: Molecular Mechanisms of Aging” deep dive session.

Lately, it has been a challenging time for science, but I am hopeful that the next generation of scientists will have the opportunity to continue contributing to discovery for both their own legacies and what they can offer to the world. I’m convinced that, despite the difficulties facing science today, we as scientists will continue to do what we do best — investigate, learn and discover through curiosity and perseverance. The story of science will keep moving forward — because discovery is what drives the next chapter.