Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology (Jagiellonian University in Krakow)

The Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology (MCB) is a joint project of the Jagiellonian University and the University of Agriculture to establish a common research centre whose task is to carry out research of various functions of living organisms, which will make the Polish biotechnological science more competitive and will further bridge the gap between science and economy. The MCB will consists of six different but complimentary research units. The MBC areas of interest (biotechnology, food safety, genomics, nutrigenomics and bioinformatics) make up the Bio subject group, which is one of the four strategic areas of  research and technology development in Poland. The construction of modern, unique specialist laboratories (GLP/GMP compliant) for, among other things, skin cell development for therapeutic use and the development of viruses and bacteria on the third scale of biological hazard will significantly improve the working conditions of researchers. Modern laboratory equipment will allow scientists to carry out research in new areas, which so far have been beyond their reach (for instance, research on neuroadaptive technologies or on modern methods of bioremediation taking advantage of soil microorganisms). Furthermore, the construction and fitting of new  laboratories will make research work more reliable and accurate and  will expand the range of joint projects carried out in collaboration with pharmaceutical, biotechnological, food processing, medical and health protection companies (the Center of Genetic and Nutrigenomic Research which is under construction will become a pillar of NuGO - a European-funded Network of Excellence in Nutrigenomics.) The MCB will also help to enhance research and development work at companies. The project was launched in 2009 and will have been completed by 2013. Its overall cost amounts to PLN 91,861, 829,53.