Founded in 1906, the Biochemical Society’s longest-running journal has been publishing major biochemical discoveries across 12 decades – starting with a study of tissue oxygen and evolving into a global platform for disseminating modern molecular bioscience.

For 120 years, the Biochemical Journal, published by the Biochemical Society, has been a key forum for sharing research that explains how living things work at the cellular and molecular levels. The Journal has championed fundamental research to drive forward scientific discoveries and innovation. Its first issue appeared in January 1906.

In that first issue, a paper from a Cambridge physiologist Joseph L. Barcroft on “The oxygen tension in the submaxillary glands and certain other tissues” helped launch a journal that would go on to chronicle the rise of modern biochemistry, from classic physiology and metabolism to today’s molecular and cellular biosciences – unravelling and demystifying the molecular mechanisms of life and disease.

In its earliest volumes, the journal captured some of the key biochemical principles: how organs use oxygen, how the body regulates acids and bases, and how diet and disease reshape metabolism. It has also spread the word about some of the most common new methods used in biochemistry. Now in its 120th year, the journal has reflected and embodied the discipline’s shift, from organ physiology and chemical tests to enzyme structure and metabolism, signalling networks, structural biology and systems-level biochemistry.

As the Biochemical Journal looks to its next century, it continues to welcome papers that don’t just report observations but explain why, how, and where. If your research delivers clear mechanistic insight, supported by careful experimental design, the journal offers a trusted, society-led home where your findings can speak with impact to the broad community. Moving with the times, the Biochemical Journal also meets all current funder mandates for publishing, whether through our ‘Read and Publish’ option or Green Open Access without embargo.

Mark Lemmon, Editor-in-Chief of the Biochemical Journal said:

“Work that elucidates the mechanisms of life advances the whole discipline and beyond. Share your best contributions with a community that has been at the cutting edge of publishing exciting biochemistry for 120 years and champions painless publishing.”

Consider the Biochemical Journal for your next submission and add your work to a 120-year record of discoveries that have shaped the field.

Discover more about the Biochemical Journal