Despite the fact that it has only been in operation for several months, MCB had already undertaken several key research projects:

• Light – Circadian Rhythm – Retinal Degeneration. This project is led by Prof. Tadeusz Sarna at the MCB Neurobiology Department. Research examines the influence of visible light waves on circadian rhythm and neural aspects of cognitive and emotional functioning in people; the research also seeks to understand the influence of light on retinal degeneration and pathology. The originality and innovation of the project lies in its holistic approach to the study of melanopsin potential (photosensitive pigment) in model and cell systems, as well as in various strategies that provide protection for retina from undesired phototoxicity. The expected research results should lead to deeper knowledge and understanding of the melanopsin system in physiology, psychology and pathology.
• Studies on Epithelium. Research connected with protein crystallisation and determining protein tertiary structure is conducted in the X-ray Laboratory at the MCB Structural Biology Department. The close interactive collaboration of scholars representing two different branches of science will allow for the development of molecular probes, thus providing for the analysis of protease activity in in vitro cell cultures and in in vivo system. Although based on basic research, this project will lay the foundations for application studies on epithelium malfunctions. Furthermore, it may have an impact on the development of future anticancer strategies. This project is led by Prof. Jan Potempa.
• Potential Anticancer Drugs. These studies are conducted in consortium with Selvita S.A. The Jagiellonian University's team is led by Prof. Józef Dulak, and some project tasks are carried out in laboratories at the Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology. The objective of the project is to develop and study new heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitors with a view of using them in the process of anticancer treatment.
• Treatment of chronic obturative pulmonary disease. This project is conducted at the X-ray Laboratory at MCB Structural Biology Department by Dr Stanisław Malicki. Studies are financed by the industry, in this case a biotechnological company.

Prof. Kazimierz Strzałka – Head of the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology and President of the Council of Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology at the Organisation Phase. The originator of the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology project, Prof. Strzałka works at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University. Prof. Strzałka's scientific interests revolve around issues related to biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology of the photosynthesis process. Several of his scientific achievements concern the transport of protein into plastids, where it was proven that particular types of plastids differ in terms of the ability to transport various types of chloroplast proteins. Prof. Strzałka was the first scientist to describe the existence of a new enzyme family whose activity is dependent on the presence of lipids creating a reversed hexagonal phase. Many scholars from various faculties of the Jagiellonian University are involved in the MCB research.

Prof. Adam Dubin – one of the scientists most closely involved in establishing the Centre, the Vice-President of the Council of Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology at the Organisation Phase, professor of biochemistry, the Head of the Department of Analytical Biochemistry at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University. He is an expert in enzymology and protein chemistry. His main scientific research interests are correlations between the structure and function of enzymes and inhibitors (mainly of bacterial origin), as well as applications of antibacterial peptides as potential broad-spectrum antibiotics. The characterisation of staphostatin and hemocidin families is a major achievement of the research group led by Prof. Dubin. He is also the founder of the biotechnological company BioCentrum, a member of the scientific board of the company Selvita (since 2008), and a member of the supervisory boards of the biotechnological companies Mabion (2010–2011) and Selvita (since 2011).

Prof. Zbigniew Miszalski – the first researcher holding the title of professor employed at the Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology. His scientific interests include studies on the impact of SO₂, heavy metals, ozone and salt stress on the process of photosynthesis at the single organism, cell organelle, and molecular levels. Prof. Miszalski's most important scientific achievements include: confirming the impact of environmental pollution on the efficiency of the antioxidative system in arable crops and mycorrhizal fungi, as well as demonstrating a strict correlation between type of photosynthetic metabolism and resistance to pathogens. He is currently conducting studies aimed at explaining metabolic links during C3-CAM transformation and proving the significance of these changes for C3 plants. The practical aspect of these studies should be emphasised, as they are applicable in the analysis of physiological changes observed in arable crops.

Research conducted in the MCB, which opened in May 2014, is more and more intense. Research results can already be discussed in 2015, with more to follow in the years to come.