Bayliss and Starling Society

The Bayliss and Starling Society was a specialist scientific society established in 1979 as a forum for researchers studying the chemistry, physiology, and functions of central and autonomic peptides. Its name commemorated William Bayliss and Ernest Starling, whose work established important foundations for modern endocrinology and peptide physiology. In particular, Bayliss and Starling identified secretin, a gastrointestinal peptide, in 1902 and later introduced the term “hormone” in 1905. The society’s stated purpose was to advance education and science for the public benefit through the study of the chemistry, physiology, and disorders of central and peripheral regulatory peptides, together with the dissemination of research findings. It served primarily as a scholarly network rather than a commercial brand, bringing together scientists with overlapping interests in peptide biology and related physiological systems. Its activities included helping organize symposia, academic meetings, and relevant conferences. These activities provided opportunities for researchers to present findings, exchange technical knowledge, and develop collaborations across peptide research and associated areas of physiology. The society also supported professional development through the John Calam Travelling Fellowship Award. This award assisted members seeking to attend national or international academic conferences or visit laboratories in order to learn new research techniques and apply them to their own work. The Bayliss and Starling Society operated as an independent scholarly organization until it merged with The Physiological Society in 2014. Following that merger, the society no longer continued as a separate organization. Its historical role was therefore concentrated in scientific networking, conference support, research communication, and assistance for early or developing investigators working on regulatory peptides.

The Bayliss and Starling Society was founded in 1979 to provide a dedicated forum for research scientists interested in central and autonomic peptides. Its scope covered the chemistry, physiology, and function of these regulatory molecules, as well as disorders associated with central and peripheral peptide systems. The society took its name from William Bayliss and Ernest Starling. Their research into gastrointestinal signaling led to the discovery of secretin in 1902, an important milestone in the development of endocrinology and chemical regulation of physiological processes. In 1905, Starling coined the word “hormone,” helping establish a vocabulary for substances that coordinate activity between organs and tissues. By adopting their names, the society linked contemporary peptide research with this foundational history of physiology. Its public-benefit objective was to promote education and science through research into regulatory peptides and through the circulation of scientific results. The organization supported researchers by helping arrange symposia and conferences relevant to peptide science. These meetings served as venues for presenting experimental work, discussing physiological mechanisms, and building contacts among scientists working in related disciplines. In addition to event and networking activities, the society provided a professional-development mechanism through the John Calam Travelling Fellowship Award. Members could use the award to attend academic conferences in their own country or abroad, or to visit laboratories where they could gain experience with new techniques. The fellowship connected the society’s research mission with practical support for scientific training and collaboration. The society ultimately merged with The Physiological Society in 2014. The merger brought its activities and community into a larger physiological organization and marked the end of the Bayliss and Starling Society as an independent entity. No separate commercial product portfolio is associated with the society; its principal outputs were scholarly meetings, research dissemination, scientific networking, and travel support for members.

• 2014

  Merger with The Physiological Society

  [1]Bayliss and Starling Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The society merged with The Physiological Society and ceased operating as a separate organization.

• 1979

  Society founded

  [1]Bayliss and Starling Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The Bayliss and Starling Society was established as a forum for scientists researching central and autonomic peptides.

• 1905

  The term hormone was introduced

  [1]Bayliss and Starling Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Ernest Starling coined the term “hormone,” reinforcing the historical connection between the society and the development of chemical physiology.

• 1902

  Discovery of secretin

  [1]Bayliss and Starling Societyen.wikipedia.org

  William Bayliss and Ernest Starling discovered the gastrointestinal peptide secretin, a scientific achievement later commemorated in the society’s name.

A specialist scholarly society focused on research, education, scientific communication, and professional development in central and autonomic regulatory peptides.

• Academic events · 1979

  Scientific symposia and conferences

  The society supported the organization of symposia and other relevant academic conferences for scientists working on the chemistry, physiology, function, and disorders of central and peripheral regulatory peptides. These meetings were its main vehicle for presenting research, exchanging technical knowledge, and developing collaborations.

• Research fellowship

  John Calam Travelling Fellowship Award

  A fellowship for society members seeking support to attend national or international academic conferences or to visit laboratories. Its purpose was to provide exposure to new techniques and facilitate the development of members’ research capabilities.

• 2014

  Merger into The Physiological SocietyM&A

  Background

  The Bayliss and Starling Society had operated as a specialist forum for peptide research since 1979.

  Action taken

  The society merged with The Physiological Society, integrating its activities and ending its separate organizational identity.

  Aftermath

  The Bayliss and Starling Society ceased to operate as an independent society.

  Source

1. 1Bayliss and Starling Societyen.wikipedia.org