ICGEB – International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

The ICGEB is an intergovernmental organisation that has been operating for 40 years as part of the United Nations system. It is a centre of excellence for research and training, enabling scientists from 69 countries to work alongside the world’s leading experts in various fields of life sciences.

ICGEB manages over 45 research programmes across its three centres in Trieste (Italy), New Delhi (India), and Cape Town (South Africa), hosting more than 600 researchers. Its General Directorate is based in Trieste.

Activities are governed by a Board of Governors with representatives from Member States. A Scientific Council, comprising 15 internationally renowned scientists, including Nobel laureates, monitors scientific activities.

The ICGEB’s main initiatives include:

• Conducting advanced research projects in its laboratories.
• Awarding scholarships to PhD students and researchers to participate in its research activities.
• Organising around 30 annual meetings on cutting-edge topics in genetic research.
• Supporting research with funding for outstanding projects.
• Transferring technology to biotech companies.
• Collaborating with governments to define biotechnology regulations and products.

The Trieste centre is a globally recognised scientific hub, equipped to conduct the most advanced experimental methods in molecular and cellular biology. It hosts 18 research groups, involving approximately 200 individuals from over 35 different nationalities.

Research Results (2023):

ICGEB publishes its research results in high-impact scientific journals. In 2023, 224 articles were published in international scientific journals.

For more information: https://www.icgeb.org/about-us/what-we-do/; https://www.icgeb.org/activities/tech-transfer/ 

Number of Scientific Meetings and Public Events (2023):

Presentations at over 50 international meetings and courses, including public conferences titled Science & the City, free and open to the public (https://www.icgeb.org/outreach/science-and-the-city), participation in national and international scientific fairs and events, such as:

• Trieste Next
• SHARPER – European Researchers’ Night
• BioAfrica
• National Science Week South Africa
• India International Science Week (IISF)
• World Biofuels Day (https://www.icgeb.org/outreach/events/)

Period 2021-2024:

Number of Funded Projects:

• 3 Interreg Italia-Austria projects (InCARDIO, PROMOS, CEDRIC)
• 1 Interreg Italia-Slovenia project (COHERENCE)
• 1 EIC Pathfinder project (FluFet)
• 2 MSCA Global Postdoctoral Fellowships
• 3 PNRR cascade-funded projects (3DCardio, AeroPathAI, GENESIS)
• 1 FVG Region Project (L.19 Development Cooperation)
• 1 Italian Applied Science Fund project (CANCEL)

Patents: 6 new patents filed (European and PCT)

Technology Transfer: More than 20 research, licensing, and technology transfer agreements

• Space: The ICGEB Trieste centre, located within the Padriciano Campus of Area Science Park, spans approximately 8,000 square metres.
• Number of Laboratories: 18 research laboratories
• Research Facilities: Detailed information is available: https://www.icgeb.org/icgeb-facilities/
• Dining, Bars, Accommodation: 1 dining hall, 1 bar, 1 guesthouse at Area Science Park.
• Conference Centres/Rooms: Seminar room accommodating approximately 60 attendees at Area Science Park.
• Other Facilities/Services: Common Room, Conference Meeting Room.

ICGEB is specifically dedicated to excellence in life sciences research and the international transfer of technologies to biotech companies. The institute has signed over 80 agreements with industrial partners in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Japan, Jordan, India, Iran, Iceland, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldova, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Syria, Spain, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uruguay, the United States, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. These collaborations support the production of genetically engineered pharmaceutical products (e.g., insulin, erythropoietin, interferon), diagnostic kits, and biopesticides.

ICGEB has a Regional Research Centre in Taizhou, China, and another under development in São Paulo, Brazil.

ICGEB projects strengthen expertise in epidemiological surveillance to tackle COVID-19 and other epidemics. National and international collaborations complement the broad range of technical assistance activities provided by ICGEB.

Additional collaborations have been established in areas such as the decomposition of lignocellulose for biogas production, the development of sustainable technologies for renewable energy, the creation of a new gene therapy (AAV vector-based gene therapy) for hereditary diseases, and the clinical development of a plant-extract-based drug for treating dengue fever (a tropical and subtropical viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes).

In addition to collaborating with Italian universities, ICGEB has agreements with the University of Nova Gorica (Slovenia), JNU in New Delhi (India), UCT in Cape Town (South Africa), and the Open University (UK) as institutions validating its PhD programme.

Short-term fellowships (3–12 months) and long-term fellowships (3–4 years):

• PhD programmes
• Postdoctoral programmes
• SMART fellowships (South-South mobility)
• ICGEB-DIC-MOST PhD programme in China
• ICGEB-JNU PhD programme for Indian nationals

Summer School with New York University Abu Dhabi
Internships for ERASMUS students and MSc Science Communication students

Facilities for foreign students and researchers
Through Fellowship programmes students/researchers are supported by administrative staff (Personnel Office and Fellowships Office). ICGEB also participates in initiatives by the Welcome Office FVG.