CEITEC is a scientific centre in the fields of life sciences, advanced materials and technologies whose aim is to establish itself as a recognized centre for basic as well as applied research. CEITEC offers a state-of-the-art infrastructure and great conditions to employ excellent researchers. The multi-departmental nature of CEITEC and the extent to which the fields of life sciences and advanced materials and technologies are integrated make it the first research centre of its kind in the Czech Republic. The high-tech technologies at its disposal will facilitate synergistic study in the subjects of life and material sciences on all currently available levels of complexity, strating with individual atoms, through molecules, molecule groups and cells to whole organisms. Multi-field CEITEC is in fact the first type of a scientific centre in the Czech Republic to integrate research and development in the fields of life sciences, advanced materials and technologies in such a large range. The research is divided into 61 groups and 7 programmes: 1. Advanced Nanotechnologies and Microtechnologies, 2. Advanced Materials, 3. Structural Biology, 4. Genomics and Proteomics of Plant Systems, 5. Molecular Medicine, 6. Brain and Mind Research, 7. Molecular Veterinary Medicine. CEITEC will lead a path to global scientific recognition through science based on synergy and collaboration, in order to achieve a regional knowledge-based economy.CEITEC has been created to catalyse the existing basic and applied research in South Moravia to reach new levels. Its purpose is not only to provide its researchers with the best equipment and new laboratory facilities, but to engage in scientific discovery at a glo­bally competitive level. To achieve this, CEITEC is aiming to retain and recruit scientifically talented people which can address important research questions.