Research at IRB Barcelona is organized into five programmes:

- Cell and Developmental Biology: Includes gene expression, developmental molecular biology, cell biology, functional genomics and proteomics of cell and embryo development, and tissue regeneration.

- Structural and Computational Biology: Includes structural analysis of macromolecular interactions. X-ray, NMR and electronic microscopy platforms, macromolecular biophysics, structural biology, and bioinformatics of molecular modelling.

- Molecular Medicine : Includes the molecular bases of metabolic and genetic diseases, the study of diagnostic or therapeutic targets and the functional genomics and proteomics of pathologies, and translational research.

- Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology: Includes the design and synthesis of small molecules and macromolecules, with special emphasis on two aspects of combinatorial chemistry: the building of libraries and optimisation of the production of synthetic compounds, and biotechnologies for molecular selection directed at therapeutic targets and the establishment of the relationship between drugs and their targets

- Oncology: Includes the study of diverse aspects of tumour initiation and progression, the relationship between stem cells and cancer, and the identification of the programmes that drive tissue-specific metastasis.

IRB Barcelona has an External Advisory Board, made up of leading scientists, which is responsible for assessing the activity and production of the groups, lines and programmes. This evaluation process, which is a permanent practice that reaches all levels and areas of work, follows criteria of maximum independence and non-interference, crucial elements that ensure the highest quality of assessment.