HIGH POTENTIAL IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS
SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGICAL
CAPACITIES IN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Costa Rica has a high potential in educational programs that include the educational development in biotechnology and nanotechnology majors. On the academic area in the field of biotechnology it should be noted that both Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), Universidad Nacional (UNA) and Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) have specialized programs and high-level in this branch. In nanotechnology academic offering, we have universities with concentrated programs (UCR, TEC and UNA) that are taught with greater affinity to nanotechnology and development of new materials. It should be noted that the TEC has one of the most advanced laboratories of nanotechnology and microscopy of the country, and since 2010, it also offers the possibility to graduate as a technician in nanotechnology, a unique program in Central America.
BIOLOGICALS
CLODOMIRO PICADO INSTITUTE
A 40 year-old public institution offering R&D services and products, associated with the UCR and Minster of Health of Costa Rica. The Clodomiro Picado Institute vision is to be a leading international institution in the study , prevention and development of therapeutics against poisoning by venomous animals, while maintaining a high quality, innovating and diversifying the research, teaching, social work and production. One of the world’s reknown antivenom snake serum banks. WHO 2011 Public Health Award. Some facts about this institute:
Produces an average of US$3MM of antiophidic serum and antitoxins sold worldwide.
Performs protein analysis. Services provided for veterinary, human and other projects in development.
The laboratory also collaborates with groups of researchers who work in hospitals and other universities in order to carry out clinical trials and field studies.
BIOSURVEILLANCE
INCIENSA
The Costa Rican Institute of Investigation and Education in Nutrition and Health (INCIENSA), since 1977 is associated to the Ministry of Health. Institution responsible for epidemiologic surveillance and research on public health priorities as well as diagnostic technologies, health assurance and education.
Centers of reference in:
Bacteriology (belongs to WHO Global Foodborn
Disease Surveillance Network). Virology.
Parasitology (chagas, dengue, malaria, leptospira).
BIOPROCESSING
CENIBIOT
The National Center of Biotechnology Innovations was created in 2007. It is an international collaboration project between the Government of Costa Rica and the European Union. A pilot plant for scaling- up of pre-industrial fermentation technology with multidisciplinary accessory labs (microscopy, chromatography, microbiology, molecular biology, analytical chemistry).
Cenibiot contributes to the competitiveness of agro industrial companies by scaling-up added-value biotechnology innovations.
BIO SCIENCE
The Biotechnology Research Center (CIB) of the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica provides research and development services in the fields of molecular biology, cell and tissue culture, bioprocesses, synthetic biology, bioinformatics and characterization of proteins, viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, plants and laboratory animals.
The CIB is known for its research in agricultural and environmental solutions, developed with nanotechnologies, electron microscopy and radiation. It is also home to the only Tissue Engineering Laboratory in the region, where stem cells and epithelial, muscle, bone, brain and adipose tissues are deployed for preclinical studies.
CIB Facilities (BA: Environmental Biotechnology, BP: Plant Biotechnology, AB: Biomedical Applications)
- Tissue Engineering (AB, BP)
- Tissue Culture (BA, BP)
- Cryopreservation (BA, BP)
- Biocontrol (BA, BP)
- Bioprocesses (BA, BP, AB)
- Bioenergy (BA)
- Plant Virology (BA, BP)
- Bacteriology (BA, BP)
- Genetic Engineering (BA, BP)
- Molecular Biology (BA, BP, AB)
- Greenhouse
- Orchard
- Large-scale microalgae culture systems
CIB offers environmentally friendly solutions with a positive impact on society's quality of life.
NANOTECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY OF COSTA RICA
The National Nanotechnology Laboratory of Costa Rica (LANOTEC) specializes in research, design and implementation of nanotechnology-related technologies. It focusses on the synthesis and study of new materials; as well as knowledge transfer and technology from academic environments to several industries. Currently LANOTEC has an interdisciplinary research team, a scientific director and growing infrastructure. LANOTEC makes available the following resources for industry and academic researchers:
Work area of 500 m2.
Equipped clean room for synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials.
Laboratory for fabrication of nanostructured materials and sample preparation.
High-performance computing infrastructure for simulation of physical-chemical phenomena and high-level visualization.
LANOTEC is currently equipped with instruments for Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), ATR-FTIR (with TGA), Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), Goniometry, microgravity studies, among others. The research and development in LANOTEC are:
Instrumental and Characterization. Applications of instruments and techniques to determination of mechanical, thermal and electric properties of materials.
Synthesis of Nanostructured Materials. Physical and chemical processes for production of molecular structures and materials with diverse properties such as surfaces and nanoparticles.
Computational Nanoscience. Application of mathematical modeling and computer simulation for the comprehension of nanoscale phenomena and support for experimental developments.
Bionanotechnology. Study of features and interactions of biomolecules and their applications via nanometric manipulation techniques.
Nanoeducation. Program to look for a talented and capable young in science and technology from the high school levels.
Nanobiodiversity
LANOTEC has promoted and created companies with MSME (PYME) funds from the National Council for Research in Science and Technology CONICIT, based in part or totally on nanotechnologies. Data are included of the companies based on nanotechnology in Costa Rica and that have been worked under the innovation program in LANOTEC. The scope of the results obtained so far are national and they have great relevance for the development of the country, whose economy is currently strongly based on services, agribusiness and, to a lesser extent, the electronics sector. The companies created or promoted through LANOTEC’s innovation program are all Costa Rican capital, and are pioneers in the eld of national nanotechnology.
+20 RESEARCH CENTERS AND LABORATORIES
University of Costa Rica
The Institute of Investigations in Health (INISA), performs research on the origin of factors that determine health problems in the community and serves as advisory services to public health stakeholders on topics such as gastric cancer, hereditary mental degeneration, among others.
The Centre of Investigation in Cellular and Molecular Biology (CIBCM), investigates topics related to pathogens in plants, viruses that affect animals, bio pesticides, and environmental microbiology.
The Biological Tests Laboratory (LEBI), promotes research through biological testing of possible mechanisms of action of chemical substances, biological, biotechnological of human and animal consumption.
