For half a century, the Hungarian biochemical community has built not only scientific excellence, but also a unique collegial network connecting generations of researchers, educators, editors, and students.

One remarkable symbol of this journey is the journal Biokémia — a journal born in 1977. Importantly, 2026 marks a special milestone year for the journal, as the 50th volume of Biokémia is now being published.

The story of Biokémia is deeply connected to that of the Hungarian Biochemical Society, founded in 1962, and to visionary scientists such as Bruno F. Straub and Béla Tankó, who believed that biochemistry was far more than a branch of chemistry: it was a central part of the biological sciences and an essential bridge between chemistry, medicine, physiology, and life sciences.

At a time when scientific communication behind the Iron Curtain was limited, Biokémia became much more than a journal. It became a lifeline for the Hungarian biochemical community.

The early issues were stencil-duplicated, modest in appearance, yet intellectually vibrant. The contrast was extraordinary: limited technical possibilities, but immense scientific passion.

The founding editor-in-chief, Dániel Bagdy, devoted over two decades of tireless work to shaping the journal’s identity. He attended conferences, contacted researchers personally, invited manuscripts, reported on scientific events with uncompromising honesty, and ensured that every important Hungarian biochemical workshop and laboratory had a voice within the pages of Biokémia.

The journal also connected Hungarian scientists to the international scientific world through conference reports, educational materials, and collaborations with organizations such as the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

What makes this history especially inspiring is that Biokémia has never been “only” a scientific journal. It also became a cultural space: Between scientific sections, readers could find aphorisms, reflections from famous thinkers, artistic illustrations, and later even dedicated sections exploring the relationship between science and art. The journal showed that scientific research is not only rigorous — it is also creative, visual, and deeply human.

During the “Age of Modernity” (1998–2008), the journal evolved further under the leadership of András Székács. The publication modernized its editorial standards, introduced bilingual scientific elements, highlighted young researchers, and welcomed contributions from internationally renowned scientists — including Nobel Prize laureates.

Since 2009, under the dedicated editorial leadership of Mária Szűcs, Biokémia has entered the “Age of the Internet,” continuing as an online publication while expanding its reach, flexibility, and visibility. Biokémia remained a vibrant forum for Hungarian biochemistry, showcasing Hungarian scientific achievements, building biochemical community, as well as publishing conference reviews, and interdisciplinary research articles.

Today, Anita Alexa is the editor-in-chief of the journal. She maintains the long-standing special mission of Biokémia: to preserve and showcase Hungarian scientific values while remaining internationally connected. Since 1977 the journal has been published in four issues every year. The full archive of Biokémia now stands as a living scientific and historical document — preserving decades of scientific results, collaboration, debate, creativity, and a vivid scientific community.

Most importantly, this history reminds us that scientific journals are never created by technology alone. They are built by communities.

By editors who believe in scientific quality.
By reviewers who dedicate invisible work.
By authors willing to share ideas.
By readers who keep scientific culture alive.

Our sincere gratitude goes to all readers, authors, editors, reviewers, and supporters who contributed to this extraordinary journey across generations.

And while it is inspiring to reflect on such a successful history, we must also look toward the future. As Biokémia approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, we are also searching for meaningful and worthy ways to celebrate this important milestone.

One aspect of Biokémia will remain critically important through the next decades as well: showcasing local scientific values while reaching broader audiences. As technologies and digital communication continue to evolve, the journal will remain flexible and responsive to the needs of the Hungarian biochemical community and the wider international scientific world.

Because scientific communities are strongest when local identity and international collaboration grow together.

Visit the journal’s free online archive at https://www.mbkegy.hu/Biokem/-1 to get a glimpse into the history of Hungarian biochemistry as well as our current activities.

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