Interdisciplinary Genomic Research
There are nine research themes at the IGB and one externally funded research institute:
- Biocomplexity
- Business, Economics and Law of Genomic Biology
- Genomic Ecology of Global Change
- Genomics of Neural & Behavioral Plasticity
- Host-Microbe Systems
- Mining Microbial Genomes for Novel Antibiotics
- Molecular Bioengineering of Biomass Conversion
- Precision Proteomics
- Regenerative Biology & Tissue Engineering
The Research Themes fall under one of three Program Areas:
- Systems Biology
- Cellular and Metabolic Engineering
- Genome Technology
The mission of the Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) is to advance life science research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and to stimulate bio-economic development in the state of Illinois. The near-term strategic objective of the IGB is to identify and promote Research Themes that capitalize on recent advances in genome science and technology.
Both the Systems Biology and Cellular and Metabolic Engineering Program Areas in the IGB encompass Research Themes that use genomically sequenced microbial, plant, or animal species (including insects) as model or target organisms. The Genome Technology Program Area is home to one Research Theme and is associated with several Research Themes in the other two Program Areas. The goal is to achieve integration within life kingdoms and across Program Areas, as well as higher order interactions among the Research Themes.
Research within the themes focuses on significant problems facing humanity, such as stabilizing the biosphere, managing new and emerging pests and pathogens, and maintaining an abundant and healthy food supply. Coupled with the research themes are programs that will explore the ethical, legal, and social issues arising from the research.
The IGB is housed in a $75 million, 186,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility. The building design facilitates collaboration between researchers and provides space to advance technology transfer, education, and engagement with partners in genomic biology. Each research area is housed in a Thematic Lab Module, which include facilities for biology, bioengineering or chemistry, and bioinformatics. The daily operation of the institute is funded by the state, while the research programs are supported mainly through external funding from the federal government, corporations, and foundations.
Faculty, staff, and students from over 30 different campus units are housed in the IGB. A cluster of core facilities, including a microscopy suite, plant growth facility, and microfabrication lab support the scientific objectives of the Research Themes. The administrative gatehouse of the IGB houses conference facilities and teaching laboratories, a museum-quality outreach center, and a cafe, all meant to provide a stimulating environment for conducting interdisciplinary research at the cutting edge of the life sciences revolution.
