The Plant Molecular Biology Center (PMBC) at Northern Illinois University was established in 1985 by the Illinois Board of Regents as an autonomous unit within the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry. Located in Montgomery Hall on the NIU campus, the center provides a locus for the promotion, coordination, and facilitation of research activities in plant molecular and cellular biology. The center is also concerned with the transfer of this technology into industrial applications.

While partially supported by the state of Illinois, the PMBC receives most of its funding in the form of research grants and contributions. Several industrial firms dealing with plants or plant products are affiliated with the PMBC.