Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology from Sancti Spíritus
The headquarters of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in the Cuban province of Sancti Spíritus specializes in research, development and production of diagnostics and biological reagents, as well as agricultural biotechnological research
Founded 30 years ago at the suggestion of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro on the occasion of his visit to the province in connection with the celebration of July 26, 1986.
The scientific institution accumulates experience on several fronts, including the development, generation, production and commercialization of monoclonal antibodies, their conjugates and recombinant proteins; as well as the design and production of test strip-type diagnostics for human and veterinary use, two of its main lines of work.
In addition, it is dedicated to the design and development of analytical systems for pharmacovigilance and pharmacokinetic studies of leading products of Cuban biotechnology such as Heberprot-P®, Quimi-Hib®, Porvac® and Gavac®, among others; research, development and transfer of enzyme technologies in the sugar and food industries; the expression of recombinant proteins in different hosts and the extension and introduction of new products and technologies developed by the CIGB of Havana.
Most recent results
- Conclusion of the development and validation of the Elisa system for the detection of unwanted immunogenicity of the epidermal growth factor and yeast contaminants of Herberprot-P, conditioning tests for the introduction of this product in prime markets world.
- Obtaining the Sanitary Registry of the dietary supplement Fructooligosaccharides Syrup (FOS) for human consumption, as well as its introduction in the formulation of functional foods and nutraceuticals of national production based on the technology developed and patented in the center, climbing at the Sorbitol plant in Camagüey.
- Beginning of the pilot study of the epidemiological situation of the classical swine fever virus in productive units of Sancti Spíritus.
- Extension of the cultivation of transgenic hybrid corn and transgenic soybean in 16 producers in the province of Espirituana with satisfactory results.
Contributions to the confrontation of COVID-19
With the genetic constructions received from the Havana-based CIGB, the CIGB researchers located in Sancti Spíritus were able to express and purify the so-called n protein of the virus, the nucleocapsid, the most abundant; After three months, they generated monoclonal antibodies, of high demand, and obtained a diagnostic test in the form of a rapid strip at the laboratory level.
The antibodies developed by the CIGB of Sancti Spíritus are used to identify virus proteins either in patient samples for diagnostic purposes or for process and quality control in the production of vaccine candidates. Today they are used by the Immunoassay Center and by the Biomedical Research, Development and Agricultural Research Directorates of the CIGB, in Havana, which usually receive 95% of the biological reagents they use for the same purpose in established productions of their drugs. and vaccines.
Prestigious institutions such as the Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), the Havana Genetic Engineering Center (CIGB), the Immunoassay Center (CIE) and the Finlay Vaccine Institute (IFV), are demanding biological reagents from the Sancti CIGB Spíritus.
Contact information
- Address : Circunvalante Norte, Olivos 3, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
- Phone number : (041) 326273
Our History
Foundation : 26 de julio de 1986
The Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center of Sancti Spíritus was created by the idea of the Commander in Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz to expand the development of science and special biotechnology in the interior of Cuba.
During the central act commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the assaults on the Moncada soldiers, in Santiago de Cuba, and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, in Bayamo, took place on July 26, 1986 in the city of Sancti Spíritus. As part of the celebration of such important ephemeris, the Commander in Jefe will open on July 27, 1986 the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sancti Spíritus, the place where this other CIGB headquarters is currently located. During the tour of the facility, he visits the area intended for the investigation, when the Commander in Jefe compares them with the opening of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in the capital, planting the idea that biotechnology could not be a heritage only one of the centers in the Cuban capital.
The government and the Communist Party of Cuba of Sancti Spíritus organized the actions to concrete the idea of creating a headquarters for the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in the province. In 1987 they traveled to the Center for Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana, the first group of workers, with the objective of training themselves as technicians and scientists in this field. There were selected technicians, engineers, doctors and university graduates from the province who had basic training profiles in line with biotechnology, so that they could soon be trained as biotechnologists.
During this stage of initial training, between 1987 and 1990, work groups were formed for research in the agricultural field and especially for the improvement of rice, through the application of modern techniques of genetic engineering y la biotechnology; and the other hacia the field of biomedical investigations and in special immunotechnology from the generation of monoclonal antibodies and their use in different immunological techniques.
After receiving this initial training, which included training in laboratories in other countries, in April 1990 they returned to the facility that currently occupies its headquarters, and on April 10, this year, the Center for Genetic Engineering and Genetics was officially constituted Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus.
From 1990 to 1995, the facilities were remodeled and the number of workers increased.
The main initial working groups are consolidated:
- Plants and Fertilizer Group
- Immunotechnology Group
- Restriction Enzyme Group
- Administration, Economy and Services Group
Our directives
Director of CIGB Sancti Spíritus
Research areas
Products
Diagnostic tests
Diagnostic tests
Diagnostic tests
Diagnostic tests
Projects
To develop, generate, produce and market monoclonal antibodies, their conjugates, and recombinant proteins to be used as biological reagents for research and development of biotechnological products:
- Control of production and release processes of batches of biotechnological products manufactured at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), the Center for Molecular Immunology (CIM), Instituto Finlay de Vacunas, Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Devices Doctors (CECMED), Center for Biopreparations (BioCen), Center for Scientific Investigations (CNIC), National Center for Animal Health (CENSA), National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA), among others.
- Raw materials for the production of diagnosticians at the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center (CIGB) and the Immunoassay Center (CIE).
- Design, develop, produce and market diagnostics, of the rapid reactive strip type, based on lateral flow technology for human and veterinary use.
- Investigate, develop and transfer enzymatic technologies for industrial use to obtain high value-added products applicable to the sugar and food industries.
- Design and develop analytical systems for pharmacovigilance and pharmacokinetic studies of leading products in Cuban biotechnology.
- Express recombinant proteins in different hosts for biotechnological use.