The Institute has a prestigious status of the Leading National Research Centre granted by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The principal fields of the Institute’s activity include basic research on molecular genetics, cytogenetics, experimental embryology and biotechnology, as well as the genetic background to the physiology of stress and animal etiology. Research in applied sciences is conducted in the fields of population genetics, animal breeding, as also animal maintenance and production systems. Studies on animal behaviour and welfare are an important complement. The principal aim of research in applied sciences is the elaboration of such methods of animal improvement and production, which render possible the production of safe and valuable food, simultaneously retaining a high level of animal welfare and a limited unfavourable effect of agriculture on the environment.
