BIOBANK SWEDEN – A SPOTLIGHT ON NEWLY LAUNCHED RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

As previously reported, Sweden’s new national biobanking infrastructure, Biobank Sweden, got underway in January. A Swedish Research Council-funded research infrastructure supports healthcare providers and universities with medical faculties working towards national harmonisation in biobanking.

Several infrastructure projects have already kicked off, for instance, one aimed at setting up a national ELSI helpdesk. Cooperation with BBMRI-ERIC will be a key focus, as well as building sustainable support structures for transnational research projects.

In addition, one project cluster prioritises activities increasing output capabilities of regional joint biobank service facilities. Focus areas include sample handling, reformatting, and facilitation of access to samples for the scientific community.

Finally, integration coordinators have been recruited to the regional biobank service facilities across Sweden. This network of experts will streamline sample collection and output to users and catalyse nationally prioritised harmonisation activities.