The Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI) of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) was founded in 1986 and it is the only public, non-profit institution focusing on the frontiers of both basic and applied research of agro-biotechnology in China. The Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the Center for Biosafety Assessment of GMOs are affiliated to BRI-CAAS.

The institute owns 7000 square meters of laboratories, 1200 square meters of greenhouses, and field stations in Hainan (Sanya), Beijing (Pinggu) and Hebei (Langfang). All above facilities provide important supports for the research of a large-scale gene transformation, molecular breeding, new crop variety development, and bio-safety evaluation of genetically modified organisms, etc. The institute has 126 employees. Among them 108 are permanent research staff including one academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, 35 professors and 41 associate professors, and the others are administrative and supporting staff.

In order to meet the requirements of sustainable development of agriculture in the country, BRI has adopted strategies of: 1) focusing on the improvement of crop productivity and quality; 2) targeting at research frontiers of life science and biotechnology; 3) strengthening the R&D of transgenic crops and recombinant microbes; and 4) exploring and integrating plant metabolic engineering and microbial enzymatic engineering.

During the tenth and eleventh five-year period, the institute has been awarded more than 150 grants by various funding agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Nature Science Foundation of China and international organizations or collaboration partners. Scientists have published more than 800 papers, 20 books, and patented 100 inventions (including one Golden Award and one Outstanding Award from the government).

BRI-CAAS is targeting at being a top innovation center both domestically and internationally in the field of agro-biotechnology research and development.