The activity of the institute is determined by the urgent need to solve the issues facing microbiological and virological science in agriculture, industry and health care. Therefore, the greatest attention is paid to research, the purpose of which is to study the mechanisms of biological activity of microorganisms and viruses as a basis for the development of the latest biotechnologies. focused on protecting and improving the environment, cleaning soils and wastewater from anthropogenic pollution.

Traditionally, microorganisms are considered as probable producers of biologically active substances.

The basis for these studies is the Ukrainian collection of microorganisms and viruses created at the institute. The collection contains more than 20,000 strains of microorganisms that are promising for obtaining the latest drugs or food additives, conducting molecular biological and genetic engineering research.