Analytical Biosciences Group

The Analytical Biosciences Group (ABG) is one of the many Interest Groups within the Royal Society of Chemistry, bringing together members with an interest in the use of analytical chemistry techniques in "bio" applications, and promoting the development and propagation of such techniques. In fact, it is one of the oldest such groups with its origins going back to 1945. The ABG came into being as the Biological Methods Group when it first became obvious that the properties of complex new pharmaceuticals, such as penicillins, could not be adequately characterised by traditional analytical chemistry alone. Thus it acted as an early forum for the development of bioassays for drug potency. 

The field of analytical biosciences has expanded massively from these beginnings and the ABG has evolved to promote the development and application of a wide range of bioanalytical techniques.

Progress remains rapid in this area and partly for this reason, it is impossible to define too precisely the ABG’s exact scope – new methods and applications emerge all the time. However, examples of "analytical biosciences" include techniques for use in forensics, food science, diagnostics, clinical engineering, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals as well as research methods with no particular application in mind.

The principal purpose of the ABG is to sponsor and organise events in the field of analytical biosciences in order to disseminate information and promote networking. In line with this, the committee has two main roles:

• To sponsor conferences, seminars, training courses, etc. in relevant subject areas. Sometimes such events arise directly from ABG discussions but often the ABG will co-sponsor events already being planned by other parties providing financial support, publicity, and/or administrative input.
• The ABG operates a bursary scheme whereby UK-based students can be reimbursed for expenses up to £500 for attendance at relevant events regardless of whether these events are ABG-sponsored.

As well as carrying out activities directly supporting the ABG’s aims, together with the associated administrative tasks, committee members try to maintain good links with other groups and organisations which have complementary interests including other groups within the RSC.