Oxford University Biochemical Society

The Oxford Biochemical Society (OUBS) is the official student association affiliated with the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford. The primary goal of OUBS is to promote understanding, discussion and review of exciting and current topics in biochemistry. The society invites outstanding speakers from outside Oxford to give lectures in the Department of Biochemistry. These talks attract students, post-docs and senior members from all of the various life-science departments of Oxford University. The Oxford Biochemical Society (OUBS) is a student-run society that aims to promote biochemistry at all levels across the university. We organise weekly seminars that bring scientists from around the world to Oxford, and an annual careers day for students and staff across the life sciences.

OUBS is one of the largest scientific student societies at Oxford University. Our membership is diverse, encompassing students and staff from all of Oxford's medical and life sciences departments. This reflects our goal of bringing together people from different backgrounds and disciplines. The OUBS was founded on December 2nd, 1964, by a group of Oxford Biochemistry graduate students with the establishment of their first constitution, which laid down the ground rule that "the Society exists to invite speakers from outside Oxford." The founding officers of the society were Mr. Anthony .M. Roberton (Merton) as president, Mr Nick .J. Kuhn (Balliol) as treasurer, Mr Frank .S. Rolleston (Linacre House) as secretary and Dr M.W. Whitehouse as senior member. From 1980 onwards, financial support prompted OUBS to no longer charge members for subscription. Professor Anthony Watts is the society's current and longest serving senior member, having taken up the role in 1988.

Former speakers have hailed from a range of institutions including the Whitehead Institute in Massachusetts and the Hubrecht Institute in Utrecht. Previous speakers have included Sir Hans Krebs, Sir James Watson, Sir Martin Wood and recently, Dr. Brian Kobilka, who was awarded the 2012 Nobel prize in chemistry. The Society has also hosted lectures from the Biochemical Society, and the Royal Society of Chemistry.