Recently, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS, announced its newly elected members online. These 701 scientists represent 24 different fields and come from throughout the world. Among the new members in the biological sciences section, Professor XU Ruiming of the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been recognized for his outstanding achievements in structural biology, particularly his contribution to the study of structural mechanisms underlying the epigenetic regulation of gene transcription and mRNA transcription and processing.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS, is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world by serving as an educator, leader, spokesperson and professional association. Founded in 1848, AAAS serves some 261 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. In addition to organizing membership activities, AAAS publishes the journal Science, as well as many scientific newsletters, books and reports, and spearheads programs that raise the bar of understanding of science worldwide.

Election as a Fellow of the AAAS is an honor bestowed upon members by their peers. Fellows are recognized for meritorious efforts to advance science or its applications.

The new 701 association members elected by the AAAS Council will be recognized for their contributions to science and technology on February 16 at the 2013 AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston, USA.