Plant molecular biology and agricultural biotechnology research and development can bring tremendous benefits to food security, human health and natural environment. The innovations from these endeavors can readily be transferred to serve the humanity needs. Science, technology, society, and environment are integral components of a sustainable society.

The newly established Institute of Plant Molecular Biology and Agricultural Biotechnology (IPMBAB) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong is built on the outstanding research track record of the Hong Kong University Grants Committee's Areas of Excellence in the field of plant and agricultural biotechnology.

Due to population increase and loss/deterioration of arable lands, the stability of food production is a pressing problem in China and other developing countries. The mission of IPMBAB is to create and combine new innovations from basic science researches and state-of-the-art biotechnology with the traditional wisdom of breeders/farmers and the rich elite germplasm resources from China, to address the issue of food security, with emphasis on the improvement of major staple and economic crops such as rice and soybean. IPMBAB is to create knowledge through basic science researches, generate products of high impact through application of technologies, and train high quality researchers as important manpower reserve for the rapidly developing and globalizing communities in Hong Kong, China, and beyond.