A highly magnified view of about a dozen cells, whose nuclei are clearly visible.

NSF and the Rise of Biotechnology

NSF's sustained investments sparked the discoveries that shaped modern biotechnology — launching industries, driving the economy and improving lives.
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NSF Impacts

Biotechnology is transforming the world around us — from biodegradable plastics and life-saving medicines to high-yield crop strains that withstand extreme conditions.

The U.S. National Science Foundation's decades of support have enabled breakthroughs in research and development, transforming biotechnology into a trillion-dollar industry.

Brought to you by NSF

From foundational discoveries to game-changing technologies, explore some of the biotechnology breakthroughs made possible by decades of NSF-supported research.

A researcher examines small flowering plants in a laboratory growth chamber.

Boosting crops with biotechnology

NSF's investments in agricultural biotechnologies are transforming food and fiber production.

CRISPR is a tool that lets scientists cut and insert small pieces of DNA at precise areas along a DNA strand, enabling scientists to study genes in a targeted way.

CRISPR

NSF-supported research has advanced one of the sharpest tools in gene technology.

Close-up of a gloved hand pipetting liquid into small test tubes

DNA amplification

Polymerase chain reaction, a lab technique that powers today's biotechnology sector, traces its roots to NSF funding.

A 3D model of a protein depicting how its polypeptides cluster to take on the protein's overall shape.

Protein Data Bank

NSF's decades-long support for the open-access database has facilitated pioneering scientific advancements and medical treatments.

Insulin vials on meal tray with glass vials in background.

rDNA and Insulin

NSF supported a landmark genetic engineering project that revolutionized insulin drugs and jump-started the U.S. biotechnology industry.

Learn how NSF is funding biotech breakthroughs
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