The scope of Expert panel Bio4 includes biological and biotechnological research, which focuses on generating knowledge on the living world aiming at applications in the environment, agriculture and forestry, industry, and/or society.

More specific:

• Handling and processing of living material and the application of living organisms (plants, animals, micro-organisms) or parts thereof (such as enzymes) in production processes and biosystems. The application of technologies and quantitative approaches is focused on.
• (Bio)-chemistry of technological processes and biosystems with the purpose of analysing, controlling, or improving them. The application of advanced technologies and quantitative approaches is focused on.
• Research on economically important animals, plants and micro-organisms: the integration of fundamental insights and biotechnological research with an eye on application, is focused on.
• Research on (sustainable) management of ecosystems and environmental technological processes. The application of technical skills and quantitative approaches is  focused on.
• Examples of disciplines are (not exhaustive): agrochemistry, aquaculture and fishery, soil science (biological aspects), forestry, ecotoxicology, agriculture and horticulture (animal production, plant cultivation, crop protection), food sciences (food chemistry, food microbiology, food technology), applied nutrition research, environmental biotechnology and bioremediation, applied ecology, applied and industrial biotechnology (microbiology, plant, animal), applied dietetics.