The Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies at Rensselaer

The Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) is uniquely focused on fostering collaborative research across disciplines. Researchers from life sciences, physical science, informatics, bioengineering, data modeling, bioimaging, engineering, lighting systems and engineering, and media technologies can come together to work on global challenges.

As the hub of biotechnology-based research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Center is recognized for its basic and applied research, world-class infrastructure and support staff, and growing funding base.

Our research portfolio includes ground-breaking work in biologics, bioimaging, biomanufacturing, biomolecular science and engineering, biophysics and structural biology, microbiomics, neuroscience, stem cell engineering, and genomics.  More about CBIS

Over Ten Years

  • 36 Faculty
  • 200 Ph.D.s Granted
  • 1,000 Undergrads Trained
  • 2,000 Peer-Reviewed Publications
  • 30,000 Citations (ISI)
  • $130MExternal Grant Funding

News & Events

NIH Grant Supports Development of AI Tools To Identify High-Risk COVID-19 Patients

TROY, N.Y. — With COVID-19 still spreading in the United States, where it has already killed more than 140,000 people, improved screening and treatment options are critically important for high-risk patients with comorbidities, such as diabetes, pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease.

In Cell Studies, Seaweed Extract Outperforms Remdesivir in Blocking COVID-19 Virus

In a test of antiviral effectiveness against the virus that causes COVID-19, an extract from edible seaweeds substantially outperformed remdesivir, the current standard antiviral used to combat the disease.

Common FDA-Approved Drug May Effectively Neutralize Virus That Causes COVID-19

A common drug, already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), may also be a powerful tool in fighting COVID-19, according to research published this week in Antiviral Research.

Protein Linked to Cancer Acts as a Viscous Glue in Cell Division

New research, published online today in Developmental Cell, shows that PRC1 – a protein that serves as a telltale sign in many cancer types, including prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer – acts as a “viscous glue” during cell division, precisely controlling the speed at which two sets of DNA are separated as a single cell divides.

Research & Constellations

 

Our Center

  • 150 PhD Students
  • 50 Postdoctoral Fellows
  • 33 Principal Investigator Laboratories
  • 25 Visiting Research Scientists
  • 218,000 sq ft modern facility
  • 31, 240 sq ft of open research labs
  • 13,009 sq ft of support labs
  • 27,350 sq ft of core facilities
  • 5,830 sq ft conference and seminar space