The major activities of the Institute are oriented towards fundamental research in molecular biology, molecular genetics, recombinant DNA technology and biotechnology. In the field of fundamental research, Institute's projects are mostly focused on research related to analysis of genome organisation and regulation of gene expression in different organisms.

Furthermore, IMGGE is also oriented to biotechnological and commercial applications in human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, food production, and pharmaceutical industry.

The Institute consists of seven laboratories: Laboratory for Molecular Biotechnology, Laboratory for Molecular Genetics of Industrial Microorganisms, Laboratory for Molecular Genetics of Actinomycetes, Laboratory for Plant Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Human Molecular Genetics, Laboratory for Molecular Biology, and Laboratory for Molecular Haematology.