Analytical Biosciences Group

The Analytical Biosciences Group was formed in 1945 as the Biological Methods Group: at that time, a range of novel pharmaceutical products (such as penicillins) were first becoming available for clinical use, but the potency of these materials could not be determined by conventional chemical methods. The new Group sought to act as a forum for the expert discussion of the bioassays necessary to characterise these products and to assure their quality. Thus the Group has always had a strong involvement with the pharmaceutical industry and scientists involved in drug regulation.

The past 50 years have seen a revolution in our ability to quantify and characterise biologically-derived and biologically-active materials. The remit of the Group has therefore broadened to encompass all aspects of analysis as applied to such molecules - this was reflected by the Group's recent change of name.

The Group's committee organises approximately four meetings per year, covering subjects such as 'Bioactive Residue Analysis in the Next Millenium', 'Requirements for Pharmaceutical Water' and 'The Measurement and Application of Stable Isotopes'.