Our history

Since 1912 the IBMS has ensured that its members operate to the highest professional standards

Beginning life as the Pathological and Bacteriological Laboratory Assistants’ Association (PBLAA) in 1912, the IBMS has undergone a number of different names in its history. As the complexity of the science which informs modern laboratory medicine has developed, so has the IBMS.

Our involvement in education, training and standard setting has grown with the knowledge and skills required of those working in biomedical science.

Find out more about our history 

Read the first ever issue of The Biomedical Scientist from March 1913. 

Learn more about our first member, Richard Muir, and view some of his histological illustrations.

Discover the history of the IBMS over the past 100 years with Letters of Consequence. 

The IBMS History Committee catalogues our historical artefacts and produces articles and displays on the history of the IBMS and the profession as well as maintains the IBMS library.