The main aim of the Catalan Biotechnology Reference Network (XRB) is to promote interdisciplinary research within the field of biotechnology in Catalonia. Other important objectives of the XRB are to foster the exchange of knowledge between public sector researchers and private enterprise, to take an active and critical role as regards raising public awareness of biotechnology, to promote collaboration with industry, and to encourage the setting up of new biotech firms. Rather than being concentrated in a single physical location the XRB is formed by over 400 researchers who belong to the following institutions:: University of Barcelona (UB) Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) Institute of Food and Agricultural Research and Technology (IRTA) Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) Within the XRB these researchers are organized into seven units. The current scientific research of the XRB is being conducted within the framework of the 2010-2011 funding agreement, signed with the Catalan Ministry of Innovation, Universities and Enterprise. The Director is Anicet R. Blanch of the University of Barcelona. The management body is the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation (FBiG).