The stated mission of the CNB is the generation of scientific knowledge and its application to solving human and animal health issues, environmental, and agricultural challenges, whilst collaborating with industries and ensuring the transfer of technology.

The CNB trains personnel, offers biotechnology-oriented counselling to companies and public institutions, and publishes its scientific activity in specialized journals and press media.

Specific projects focus on structural biology of large macromolecules, genomics and functional proteomics, development of biocomputing tools, control of cell growth and cancer, mechanisms of aging and apoptosis, development of animal models for chronic autoimmune diseases, infectious and cancer-like diseases, construction of vaccines for humans and farm animals, development of tools to improve plant productivity and resistance to environmental stress, development of new processes for environmental recovery based on microorganisms, production of antibiotics and hydrolytic enzymes, and discovery of immunomodulatory compounds.

As a biotechnology center the CNB over the 2005-2009 period signed 225 research contracts with companies around the world (amounting to €37.4m).

The CNB is a member of ASEBIO, the largest Spanish biotechnological business association, and maintains regular contacts with other members in search of common matters of interest; these include a number of joint grants for which companies and the CNB have applied to different government agencies.