The University of Liège (Belgium) has a long history of research excellence in biology. Today, on the campus of the University at Sart Tilman, about 30 research teams are involved in biological research, dealing with the most modern applications of biotechnology. In addition these laboratories are involved in teaching at all university levels in the different disciplines of biotechnology. A dozen of biotech companies have settled in the Liège area, some of them being spin-offs of university laboratories. Most of them are located in the research park of Liège, close to the university campus. This proximity encourages cross-fertilisation between industrial and academic research, and it also allows collaboration for teaching mainly at the post-graduate level.
This synergy has been structured into an association, BioLiège. The originality of this association is to gather not only academic units, but also biotech companies. So, one finds a wide range of interests there, however united by a similar technological approach. All major trends of modern biotechnology are represented : human medicine, pharmaceutical industry, toxicology, veterinary medicine, agriculture and plant biotechnology, water treatment, waste management, biodegradation control, textile industry, etc…
BioLiège is a dynamic centre of biotech activities and it is devoted to promoting Biotechnology in the region. BioLiège organises conferences for large specialised and non-specialised audiences; it stimulates contacts with other universities in Belgium, in neighbouring countries and abroad; it encourages young scientists in biotechnoloy; sets up interactive forums and debates on current issues in the field and facilitates the contacts and collaborations between scientists and industrial partners in all areas of biotechnology. It is also a privileged intermediary between biotechnologists and regulatory or funding authorities. It acts as an efficient showcase for biotech development. Investors in biotech who settle in the Liège area and start new activities here will be welcome to join BioLiège.