The Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology (KSMCB) was established in order to advance the science and technology of molecular and cellular biology through academic studies and the dissemination of fundamental knowledge. For this purpose, the KSMCB publishes its journals, Molecules and Cells and Molecular Biology News, organizes symposia, and encourages researchers by means of academic awards. From about 1980, molecular biology developed rapidly in Korea, and interest in the subject increased. Accordingly, those in the field felt the need for effective information exchange and cooperation, and for a forum that would provide fair evaluation of research. This led to the establishment of The Korean Society for Molecular Biology by 332 founding members on April 15, 1989. The Society's news magazine, Molecular Biology News, came to press with the birth of the Society. After a year and a half of preparation, the first issue of the Society's International Journal, Molecules and Cells, was published in October, 1990. In January 1995, Molecules and Cells gained the honor of becoming the first Korean biological sciences journal to be included in the Science Citation Index and Current Contents-Life Science. Every year, the Society organizes a number of academic activities such as an annual meeting and a winter conference. Since 1994, it has invited eminent biological scientists to give the Ilchun Memorial Lecture, and has presented the Mogam Awards. These Awards were replaced by the Academic Research Awards in 2002. In 2001, to reflect the rapid changes in the field of biology, the Korean Society for Molecular Biology changed its name to The Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology, and it joined the International Federation of Cell Biology in order to promote international exchange.