About Us

The National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), formerly known as the National Institutes of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology, was established on December 20, 1979 by the UP Board of Regents as a research and development institution based at UP Los Baños. Letter of Instruction No. 1005 from then president Ferdinand E. Marcos on March 1980 instructed the National Treasury to release P10 million out of the Energy Special Fund for the institute. BIOTECH originally served as an integrating mechanism to mobilize the various departments and disciplines in engineering, chemistry and applied microbiology for research, training, and extension.

BIOTECH serves as the national research and development (R&D) organization specializing in agricultural, environmental, food and feeds, and health biotechnology. The institute capitalizes on the use of the country's diverse collection of microorganisms, rich natural resources and agro-industrial waste and by-products to develop and advance alternative technologies and products towards improved agro-industrial productivity.

BIOTECH envisions to be a premier biotechnology research institution developing and commercializing globally-competitive and environment-friendly products, processes, and services from the country's diverse resources that resolve societal problems on agriculture, food, health, and environment.

As such, BIOTECH is committed to contribute in enhancing the quality of life of the Filipino through the growth and development of biotech industries. Biotechnology will be exploited as an enabling technology for the country's agro-industrialization and people empowerment.

BIOTECH will develop globally-competitive and environment-friendly biotechnology-based products, processes and services from diverse resources in order to fulfill its mission and attain the vision it has formulated.

• To contribute to increased productivity and global competitiveness of commodities through the creation of high-value products, processes and services;
• To lead in the use, protection and conservation of biodiversity;
• To be at the forefront in waste management research through biotechnology;
• To develop a nationally recognized information and education center on biotechnology;
• To fast track commercialization and transfer of biotechnologies through models, mechanisms and policy instruments; and,
• To efficiently and effectively manage BIOTECH as a research, development, service, and extension (RDE) organization.