The Division of Biological Research & Biotechnology (BRB)

History
The Division of Biological Research and Biotechnology (BRB) was founded in 1977. Its strategic research goals target:

1. the performance of top-rated, innovative research in the fields of biological sciences, b) the education/ training of young researchers (undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students and specialized technical stuff).
2. the education/ training of young researchers (undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students and specialized technical stuff).
3. Dissemination of research results to national, financial, social and state stakeholders, as well as informing objectively the public on current developments and concerns related to Life Sciences.

BRB division's research activities are organized and conducted within the frames of specific Research Programs which are oriented in two general directions:

1. innovative research in degenerative processes, emphasizing in cancer and ageing,
2. systems and synthetic industrial biotechnology.

Particular importance is attached to the application of holistic methodologies and the exploitation of tools and methodologies stemming from the area of systems biology. In this context, emphasis is placed on the exploitation of the Institute’s Bioinformatics activities for the enhancement of the Institute’s Research Programs as well as the cultivation of productive interaction between them.

The BRB division attaches strategic importance to the fruitful collaboration which has been established during recent years with the Division of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Institute of Theoretical and Physical Chemistry of NHRF. This collaboration has led to the operation of a modern, multidisciplinary research platform, connecting researchers with expertise in the fields of biology, biotechnology, synthetic and analytical chemistry, nanotechnology, materials and spectroscopy.

BRB also hosts a Biomedical Applications Unit.

BRB Research Directions

BRB Accomplishments
Following an evaluation of Greek Research Centres In 2005, BRB was declared a Center of Excellence for Biological Research and Biotechnology, attaining a leading position nationwide. The evaluation was conducted by an international scientific committee under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology.

BRB division holds a strong position in the European and international research arena. During 2005-2009, IBRB participated in 24 European Research Networks (including 5 Marie-Curie Training Networks), including 4 in which it acted as co-ordinator.

Research equipment/infrastructures

1. Sophisticated equipment for biological research, including among others:
   
   • Confocal microscope Leica TCS SP5
   • Pyrosequencer Biotage Q24
   • Modern Electron Spin Resonance spectrophotometer
   • Hybrid(triple quadrupole/Q-trap) System of Liquid-Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), Applied Biosystems 3200 QTRAP
   • Fully equipped animal house
2. Biological specimen biorepositories for the study of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors involved in ageing/longevity, cancer, degenerative diseases and developmental abnormalities.
3. Colorectal cancer biorepository from patients in Greece for diagnostic and therapeutic research purposes.
4. Open-access web application and repository, exploiting distributed computing methodologies and infrastructures (GRID) for the bioinformatic data analysis and storage of microarray results from transcriptomic experiments (http://www.grissom.gr).
5. Library of natural and synthetic compounds for the study of anti-ageing and chemoprotective properties (collaborative action with the Institute of Organic and Pharmaceutic Chemistry of NHRF and the National Kapodistrian University of Athens)

BRB Research Programs

RNA processing
Signal Mediated Gene Expression Programme
Molecular endocrinology
Molecular & Cellular Ageing Programme
Chemical Carcinogenesis and Genetic Toxicology Programme
Enzyme and Synthetic Biotechnology Program
Biomimetics Programme
Metabolic Engineering - Bioinformatics Programme