The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), an intergovernmental organisation concerned with the development of the peaceful uses of these disciplines for the benefit of humanity, started its first in-person Board of Governors meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic on Wednesday, in Cape Town (although some member countries still participated online). The ICGEB is focused on world-leading quality research, training and technology transfer in the areas of infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, medical biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, and plant biology and biotechnology.

Although ICGEB now has almost 70 member countries, its research operations are concentrated in three countries – Italy (centred on Trieste), India (centred on New Delhi) and South Africa (centred on Cape Town). Between them, these three countries host 45 totally-modern ICGEB laboratories. Its head office is in Trieste.

In his report to the board, ICGEB director-general Dr Lawrence Banks highlighted that the organisation currently had 726 personnel, of which 597 were scientific personnel. These people come from 53 countries, in line with ICGEB’s international recruitment policy. While the New Delhi component is still dominated by Indians, the international personnel element there is growing. Likewise, the international element at Trieste is also increasing. Cape Town, he said, has “a really nice balance” of local and international personnel.

He also stressed that the majority of the organisation’s researchers were below 40 years of age. This is very good. “These are the ones that are really innovative.” The ICGEB also has a very good gender balance in its staff. Their research is always published in the world’s top scientific journals.

Regarding its research areas, worldwide the ICGEB has nine research groups dedicated to infectious diseases (divided into parasitic diseases and virology). This area is of particular concern to ICGEB Cape Town and ICGEB New Delhi. There are 15 research groups dedicated to non-communicable diseases, while seven groups are focused on medical biotechnology (an area in which ICGEB is expanding its activities).

Industrial biotechnology is the concern of five research groups. Research in biofuels, which is particularly supported by the Indian government, is one of the activities in this area.

Ten groups are focused on research into plant biology and biotechnology. This area includes crop improvement. “[T]his remains a major focus of the organisation,” pointed out Banks.

He emphasized that technology transfer and local manufacture of the products its researchers developed were key priorities of ICGEB.

The organisation receives funding from its member State governments, but its components also sought funding from other sources as well. “All of the three components are doing a tremendous job in attracting additional resources,” he stressed.