NIRDB's research-development-innovation activity is structured along four essential directions, which define its central axis in the field of life sciences:

1. Agriculture, food, nutrition and food security

• Agriculture, food, nutrition and food safety - plant biology
• Agriculture, food, nutrition and food safety - agricultural biotechnology
• Agriculture, food, nutrition and food safety - nutritional supplements (procurement, formulation, characterisation);

2. Environment and biodiversity

• Assessing plant biodiversity using advanced techniques
• Assessing biodiversity in natural and agricultural ecosystems

3. Biomedicine / Health

• Materials for Health - Emerging human-centred technologies
• Technologies and solutions for a healthy and active life - Longevity medicine

4. Circular Bioeconomy

• Assessment, conservation and sustainable valorisation of natural bioresources.
• Biotechnologies for bioactive ingredients and biomass valorisation.
• Digitisation of biotechnology solutions dedicated to the circular bioeconomy.

These strands are developed through the trans-disciplinary contribution of horizontal, supporting areas: bioanalysis, bioinformatics, applied biotechnologies and research in extreme environments.