About SBIC

Biological Inorganic Chemistry

Biological inorganic chemistry is a field of science that embraces the principles of biology and inorganic chemistry. This field has important implications for many other sciences, ranging from medicine to the environment. Furthermore, studies of the roles of metal ions in biological systems often involve the development of relevant chemistry, new methodologies of investigation, and the application of advanced physical techniques.

History and Mission

The Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry (SBIC) was created in 1995 based on discussions within the Steering Committee of the European Science Foundation Program "The Chemistry of Metals in Biological Systems." C. David Garner became the first President (1995-1998). He was succeeded by Elizabeth C. Theil (1998-2000), Alfred X. Trautwein (2000-2002), Harry B. Gray (2002-2004), Fraser Armstrong (2004-2006),  Robert A. Scott (2006-2008), Trevor Hambley (2008-2010), José J.G. Moura (2010-2012) Alison Butler (2012-2014), Masao Ikeda-Saito (2014-2016), Michael Hannon (2016-2018), and Sue Berners-Price (2018-2020). Vince Pecoraro (2020-2022) Clotilde Policar will serve as the president (until 2024).

SBIC presidents at EuroBIC 2022 in Grenoble, France. From left to right: Mike Hannon, Clotilde Policar and Vince Pecoraro

Simultaneously with the creation of SBIC, the Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry was established with Ivano Bertini as the Founding Chief Editor. JBIC Volume 1 was published by Springer in 1996. In 1999 he was succeeded by Professor Larry Que who steered JBIC with distinction over a 20 year period. Professor Nils Metzler-Nolte took over as the Chief Editor of JBIC in January 2020. 

SBIC was established to advance research and education in the field of biological inorganic chemistry, and to promote popular, industrial, and academic understanding of the field. In addition to publishing JBIC, SBIC provides financial support for training courses, workshops, and conferences to facilitate exchange of information between scientists involved in the research and teaching of biological inorganic chemistry. Although the International Conferences on Biological Inorganic Chemistry (ICBICs) predated SBIC by many years, the relationship between the two is strong and SBIC provides SBIC Student Travel Grants for both ICBIC and the regional BIC (EuroBIC, AsBIC and LABIC) conferences.

2007 marked the first year of our SBIC Early Career Award, presented biennially at the International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry to an early career scientist who has already accomplished distinguished research in biological inorganic chemistry. SBIC also supports graduate student participation in ICBICs by providing Student Travel Grants for poster presentations at ICBICs and regional BICs.