BBMRI - The Pan-European research infrastructure for Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources: managing resources for the future of biomedical research

Authors

  • Heli Salminen-Mankonen University of Turku, Centre for Biotechnology, Turku
  • Jan-Eric Litton Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
  • Erik Bongcam-Rudloff The Linnaeus Centre for Bioinformatics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Uppsala University
  • Kurt Zatloukal Institute of Pathology Medical University of Graz, Graz
  • Eero Vuorio University of Turku, Centre for Biotechnology, Turku

Keywords:

ESFRI

Abstract

Biobanks are a key resource for unravelling the molecular basis of disease subtypes, identification of new targets for therapy and reduction of attrition in drug discovery and development. The broad spectrum of existing biobanks is considered as a specific strength of European research. Unfortunately the diversity - lack of standardisation - of these biobanks and the differential ethical and legal landscape across Europe have prevented their effective use. Development of common IT infrastructure and sustainable funding schemes are key features for large transnational projects interlinking different national and regional biobanks. Agreement on common standards is equally important for all de novo biobanks. In 2008, a pan-European infrastructure BBMRI (Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure) was established to bring cohesion to the European biobanking community and to make the existing and new high quality biological resources available for health research in Europe.

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Published

2009-07-01

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2

Section

Letters to the Editor

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