Тhe Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology was established in 1986 as a research unit of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MASA). Founder of the Center is Academician Georgi D. Efremov. In 2011, the center was renamed to Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology "Georgi D. Efremov,” - RCGEB in honor of its founder.

The center is located in the building of the MASA and has about 500 m² laboratory space and 250 m² office space. The Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology is an organizational unit with adequate staff, workspace and equipment, where scientific research and laboratory tests are performed, according to unique organizational policies, procedures and methods of investigation, in accordance with the law and bylaws, Macedonian and international standards, requirements of ISO / IEC 17025 standards and the needs of users.

The Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology collaborates with institutes and clinics from the Republic of Macedonia, where, as reference laboratory performs medical, forensic DNA molecular diagnostic tests and analysis of genetically modified organisms, diagnosis of hereditary diseases, infectious diseases, malignant diseases, genetic identification.

The main task of the Center is to promote the scientific knowledge in the field of protein chemistry, molecular biology, genetic engineering and biotechnology.

The center has its own library, which regularly receives more than 25 international journals in the field of medical genetics, molecular biology and biotechnology.

The center also publishes the international journal Balkan Journal of Medical Genetics (BJMG).