Background

In 1997, negotiations were initiated with the Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA) and the Scientific Research Council (CSIC) in order to create the joint research center.

On July 2nd, 1999, the Rector of UPNA and the President of CSIC signed a collaboration agreement for the constitution of a joint center, which was initially named the Institute of Agrobiotechnology and Natural Resources (IARN).

• The center has attracted researchers from UPNA and CSIC, thus creating synergy between the largest scientific research entity in the country (which at that moment lacked representation in this region) and UPNA.
• Throughout 2000, and in an attempt to foster the field of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Affairs in the Government of Navarra (GN) expressed its interest in joining the IARN.

Since the laboratory facilities in the existing building were insufficient to fulfill the objectives, the Technological Plan of the Government of Navarra (2000-2004) allotted funds for the construction of new laboratories and infrastructure. The building extension was completed in April 2003 and both CSIC and UPNA provided further funding for the construction and equipping of the new institute.

Initially, both UPNA and CSIC agreed that the structure of IARN should be twofold:

• Agricultural Biotechnology.
• Animal Health.

In September 2004, the Rector Committee of IARN:

• Nominated a Director.
• Suspended the department of “Natural Resources”, which had been represented until then by a single researcher. The name of the center was the changed to “Agrobiotechnology Institute”.
• The Government of Navarra reinforced their support of agrobiotechnology by integrating the Institute into the Technological Plan of Navarra.

The management of the Institute concentrated their efforts on the following new tasks:

• Definition of a Strategic Plan for the Institute.
• Establishment of Regulations for the internal operation of the Institute and the definition of the organizing structure.

Since its founding, our Institute has actively participated in the following initiatives:

• Doctoral Programs at UPNA.
• Drawing up of the Second Technological Plan of Navarra.
• Hosting of Scientific Congresses.
• Reception of Visiting Researchers, such as:
  • Dr. Takashi Akazawa (University of Nagoya, Japan), Isabel la Católica award in November 2002.
  • Dr. Ed Etxeberria (University of Florida, U.S.).
  • Dr. Alejandro Viale (University of Rosario, Argentina).

In addition, the following researchers have collaborated with the Institute: Andy Benson, Henri Daniell, Leszek Kleczkowski, Russell Jones, Mikio Nishimura, Néstor Carrillo, Naoyuki Taniguchi, etc...