To conduct research in frontier and multi-disciplinary areas of modern biology, and to seek potential applications of this work

To carry out exploratory work in areas of biology with a view to aid the development of biochemical and biological technology in the country on a sound basis

To train people in the advanced areas of biology to serve the needs of development in these areas, with special provision for short-term training of staff from other institutions in techniques for which adequate facilities may not exist elsewhere

To provide centralized facilities in the country for new and modern techniques in the inter-disciplinary areas of biology, and to ensure that these facilities are so organized, maintained and administered that they can be put to maximal use by research workers from other laboratories and institutions in the country

To interact adequately with other institutions doing basic or applied work in areas related to the activities of the Centre

To collect, collate and disseminate information relevant to biological research