Renamed Center for Insect Biomanufacturing and Innovation signals new era in insect science

A new name for an insect manufacturing center at Texas A&M University reflects a shift by the National Science Foundation Industry–University Cooperative Research Center, IUCRC, to focus on closer collaboration with industry and increasingly ambitious and comprehensive research.

The IUCRC’s newly named Phase I Center for Insect Biomanufacturing and Innovation, CIBI, replaces the former Center for Environmental Sustainability through Insect Farming.

Jeffery Tomberlin, Ph.D., a professor in the Texas A&M Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Fellow and director for the center, said Center for Insect Biomanufacturing and Innovation better captures the breadth and depth of what the unit aims to build – a coordinated, industry-driven engine for sustainable bio-based solutions.

Tomberlin said their work is not just about farming insects; it’s about manufacturing value from waste, optimizing biology for scale, and creating resilient, circular food systems.

This rebranding marks a significant milestone in CIBI’s growth as it deepens its commitment to using insects as versatile biomanufacturing platforms that address critical challenges in food and animal nutrition, waste remediation and the agricultural bioeconomy.

“This collaborative center has experienced an incredible amount of success and spurred innovation in the field,” Tomberlin said. “We see opportunities to broaden collaboration by expanding stakeholder engagement in new and exciting sectors of agriculture in ways that extend the center’s impact.”

Industry, insects power circular economy

Now entering its fifth year, CIBI’s expanded mission goes beyond conventional protein sources by integrating circular economy principles – transforming agricultural and urban waste into high-value insect-derived protein and compost.

These innovations aim to relieve pressure on traditional agricultural and marine protein supplies with more efficient use of land and water. Discoveries by CIBI will spur practical innovations for industry to adopt.

CIBI is structured as a three-site collaborative network. AgriLife Research and Texas A&M serve as the lead site with Indiana University, Indianapolis and Mississippi State University each contributing specialized expertise.

Together, they pursue fundamental, industry-informed interdisciplinary research and field studies that also integrate microbiology, engineering, chemistry, nutrition science, physiology and vertebrate biology, harnessing cutting-edge tools to fill key scientific and industrial gaps in insect farming for livestock, aquaculture and human consumption.

Tomberlin thanked the industry advisory board, academic collaborators and member companies whose guidance and partnership have shaped this evolution. Moving forward under its new identity, the center will remain focused on delivering impactful, translational science and fostering meaningful collaboration across sectors.

“Partnering with industry is where advancing the science begins,” Tomberlin said. “Industry helps us identify today’s issues and tomorrow’s challenges, and we look forward to collaborative research that creates solutions.”