VIB is a non-profit research institute in the life sciences. Some 1,300 scientists and technicians conduct strategic basic research on the molecular mechanisms that control the functioning of the human body, plants, and micro-organisms. Through a close partnership with four Flemish universities - Ghent University, KU Leuven, University of Antwerp, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel - and a solid investment program, VIB unites the forces of 76 research groups in a single institute. Their research aims at fundamentally extending the frontiers of our knowledge. Through its technology transfer activities, VIB translates research results into products for the benefit of consumers and patients and contributes to new economic activity. VIB has already established various spin-off companies, including DevGen, CropDesign, Ablynx, Pronota, Actogenix, Multiplicom and Q-Biologicals. VIB also develops and distributes a broad range of scientifically substantiated information about all aspects of biotechnology.