UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE

The Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology, located in Shady Grove, was established in 1985 to build and cultivate a multidisciplinary center of research excellence in protein engineering, structure, and function. Through collaboration with industrial scientists and cultivation of a basic research environment beneficial to industry, the Center fosters advancement of Maryland's biotechnology industry.

The Center's scientific programs are managed by the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Programs are administered with advice from a board of overseers representing the University System of Maryland, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Montgomery County government, and the local biotechnology community.

Created in 1987, the Center for Agricultural Biotechnology studies the molecular biology of plant and animal protection, particularly of plant-pathogen interactions, poultry virus and vaccine production, and insect genetic engineering. Research programs integrate molecular genetics and biochemical engineering methods to study gene expression. The Center cooperates with scientists at the National Agricultural Research Center, including the Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Center of Marine Biotechnology is devoted to the application of molecular biology and molecular genetics to marine organisms. Established in 1985, the Center studies the molecular biology and molecular genetics of aquaculture and fisheries biotechnology, marine microbial products and processes, and marine pollution and bioremediation. Center research then is applied to improve methods of seafood production, develop new marine-based compounds and pharmaceuticals, devise new medical diagnostic test methods, and implement novel techniques for environmental cleanup and biofilm prevention. The Center also is conducting research on Pfiesteria and related micro-organisms.

In 1993, the Center opened the Aquaculture Research Center at Fells Point in collaboration with the Columbus Center and the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The Center of Marine Biotechnology moved to the Columbus Center at the Inner Harbor of Baltimore City in 1995.

The Institute of Human Virology was formed in 1996 to combine basic research, epidemiology, and clinical research disciplines toward the study of human virology. Research supports development of more effective treatments and prevention of cancers caused by viruses, immune disorders, neurologic diseases, and autoimmune diseases.

Established in 1986, the Medical Biotechnology Center studies health-related aspects of molecular biology and biotechnology at the basic applied and clinical levels. The Center focuses its research on molecular medicine, including gene therapy, antisense therapy, molecular neurobiology/muscle, and molecular genetics. The Center also is concerned with biomedical photonics and molecular cell signaling, including biosensing, bioimaging, bioprocessing, clinical sensors, protein and membrane dynamics, and fermentation and monitoring of bioreactors. Laboratory and clinical research facilities are housed at the Center.