Spain Joins European Biobanking Research Infrastructure as Observer Country

Graz, Austria – We are delighted to announce that the Kingdom of Spain has been officially confirmed as an Observer in BBMRI-ERIC. Spain has joined the Biobanking and BioMolecular resources Research Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium (BBMRI-ERIC) through its Assembly of Members approval and Spain’s official confirmation, the later being provided by the Secretary General for Research Ministry of Science and Innovation on 26 October.

The Kingdom of Spain will be represented to the Assembly of Members by the Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII); Public Agency of Research attached to the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and becomes the 23^rd Member of BBMRI-ERIC.

Spain has also nominated the National Platform for Biobank and Biomodels-ISCIII, as the National Node.

Cristóbal Belda, ISCIII’s managing director: “The entry of Spain and the ISCIII into the BBMRI-ERIC is one more step on our way to the consolidation of collaborative research with European and international support. In addition, it is a boost to our model of cooperative research platforms. We are very satisfied with our arrival at one of the most relevant European research platforms”.

The National Network of Biobanks (RNBB) is an initiative of the Carlos III Health Institute that provides added value to all Spanish biobanks, with the aim of providing high-level scientific, technical and technological support to Research, Development and Innovation projects in health sciences and technologies, as well as fostering innovation in health technologies, by supplying high-quality human biological samples and associated data. The RNBB is made up of 39 institutions throughout Spain, grouping hospital biobanks, regional networks, network biobanks, biobanks of the main Health Research Institutes and biobanks of research centers and universities throughout the country”

BBMRI-ERIC’s Director General Jens Habermann: “It is with such a great pleasure I welcome Spain to BBMRI-ERIC. Spanish biobanks are now connected to the world like never before.  At the same time, researchers and biobankers from the Spanish National Node will have access to additional knowledge in Quality Management, ELSI, IT tools, and tailor-made guidance by BBMRI-ERIC that will support their current development”.

“This is another major milestone for European research in general”, Prof. Habermann commented. “Spain joining BBMRI-ERIC will further strengthen our overall community, leveraging full use of samples, data and biomolecular resources to booster health research and precision within the European Union and beyond.”

BBMRI-ERIC brings together about 700 biobanks from its Members and one international organisation. The BBMRI-ERIC Directory, the largest sample catalogue in the world, allows users to search millions of samples online, meeting BBMRI’s main mission to facilitate access to biological samples, data and biomolecular resources.

BBMRI-ERIC is an international organisation established under EU legislation. Its headquarters are in Graz, Austria.

BBMRI provides support and services to local biobanks via its National Nodes (one per country). The National Nodes are fully involved in the day-to-day management of BBMRI-ERIC and provide feedback from the national level. BBMRI-ERIC services cover three main areas: ethical, legal and societal issues (ELSI), quality management, and IT solutions that allow users to search collections online and request access.

Editor’s Note:

BBMRI-ERIC Members: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and United Kingdom

BBMRI-ERIC Observers: Cyprus, Lithuania, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey and IARC/WHO