The Laboratory of Molecular Biology was founded in 1988 as a cooperative center for education and research activities related to recombinant DNA experiments. This center played important roles through the spread and enlightenment of recombinant DNA techniques in Kobe University.

However, genetic researches, such as clarification of the mechanism of gene expression and utilization of genes of interest, have been developed by rapid progress of genome projects. Therefore, in order to correspond to this situation, the "Research Center for Environmental Genomics", including four research groups, was founded in 2001. This center is aiming to solve global environmental issues through "Environmental Genomics" which indicate genes related to interaction between the environment and organisms.