The Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was founded in 2001 through a merger of three CAS institutes, the Institute of Genetics, the Institute of Developmental Biology and the Shijiazhuang Institute of Agricultural Modernization.

The institute uses plant and animal models to conduct research in such areas as the genetic control of growth and development, gene expression, signal transduction, structural and functional genomics, biotechnology, molecular breeding, bioinformatics and systems biology. It aims to develop key technologies in these areas. It also aims to foster innovation in the fields of modern agriculture and population health. Researchers have already made significant contributions to biosafety, water-saving agriculture and agronomics, focusing on crop productivity and quality improvements.

IGDB has a strong scientific research team, comprising 93 principal investigators, about 350 other researchers and technical staff, and 150 administrative and support personnel. IGDB’s team includes five CAS academicians, and 30 winners of National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars awards. Four research teams have received support from the Fund for Creative Research Groups under NSFC. IGDB had more than 600 graduate students and about 130 postdoctoral fellows. The institute offers six master’s and doctoral programs in science, two master’s programs in agriculture, and one postdoctoral research program in biology.

The institute has five research centers in the fields of genome biology, molecular agrobiology, developmental biology, molecular systems biology and agro-resources, respectively. The institute is home to the National Key Lab of Plant Genomics, the National Key Lab of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, the National Key Lab of Molecular and Developmental Biology and the Hebei Key Lab of Water-Saving Agriculture. In addition, the National Plant Gene Research Center in Beijing is affiliated with the institute.

The institute has cooperated with local partners to set up several high-tech breeding centers focused on the molecular breeding of rice, wheat, cotton and vegetables. It also has cooperative relationships with institutes, universities, and companies around the world.

The Genetic Society of China is affiliated to the institute as well as an Editorial Office, which publishes three major journals, Journal of Genetics and Genomics, Hereditas (Beijing) and Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture.