BBMRI-ERIC

BBMRI.QM Newsroom
2023-12-05 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/Paris)
The fourth session in 2023 will be held on 5 December, 10:00-11:00 am CET via Zoom.
We will welcome two guests:
– Mats Hansson (Senior Professor of Biomedical Ethics, Uppsala University)
– Miriam Sturkenboom (Head of Dept. of Datascience and Biostatistics, University Medical Center Utrecht )
PLEASE REGISTER here for the Zoom meeting and make use of the possibility to add the event to your calendar.
The online meeting will follow the agenda below:
– Welcome and introduction (BBMRI.QM)
– ConcePTION Project (Guests and BBMRI.QM)
– Q&A (all)
More about our guests:
– Mats Hansson completed his first degree, BSc, in biology in 1976 and he graduated in ethics at the Department of Theology, Uppsala University 1991. He has 150 publications in the field of bioethics and founded the Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics at Uppsala University which he directed between 2008-2019. He was a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of The Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care 2009-2017 and visiting professor at the university of Newcastle and invited fellow at Lichtenberg Kolleg, The Göttingen Institute of Advanced Study-Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. He has been elected fellow of The Hastings Center, New York since 2009. He has received research awards as principal investigator of 18 multi-disciplinary research projects between 1998-2021, and he was coordinator of the IMI-PREFER project and WP-leader in 7 EU-projects. He was Co-Director of BBMRI-ERIC, Common Service ELSI 2015-2019.
– Miriam Sturkenboom has a PhD from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics in Groningen (cum laude), a pharmacy degree from the same University and a Master in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. She is past president of the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology. She served as expert to the EMA, FDA, WHO and many other organizations. She was professor of Observational Data Anlysis at the department of Medical Informatics at Erasmus MC till 2017, and currently is professor of Real World Evidence at the University Medical Center Utrecht

1st BBMRI.QM Newsroom of 2024: MIABIS terminology supports interoperability in biobank data sharing activities
2024-03-19 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/Paris)
The first session in 2024 will be held on 19 March, 10:00-11:00 am CET via Zoom.
We will welcome two guests:

Cäcilia Engels (IT Coordinator, German Biobank Node)
Apostolos Malatras (IT Manager, Biobank.cy)

PLEASE REGISTER here for the Zoom meeting and MAKE USE of the possibility to add the event to your calendar.
The online meeting will follow the agenda below:
19 March 2024

Welcome and introduction (BBMRI.QM)
MIABIS terminology supports interoperability in biobank data sharing activities (Guests and BBMRI.QM)
Q&A (all)

Please spread the invitation about the Newsroom in your RIs, networks and social media channels (please use @BBMRIERIC and #BBMRI_QM), the event is open to anyone interested.

Europe Biobank Week Congress 2024
2024-05-14 - 2024-05-17 | The Hofburg, Vienna, 1010, Austria
BBMRI-ERIC and ESBB are delighted to announce that the Europe Biobank Week Congress is back for 2024.
It will take place from 14-17 May at The Hofburg in Vienna, Austria.
Save the date in your diaries and look out for further details on registration which will be made available shortly on the EBW website.
Interested in sponsoring the Congress? Contact us.

2nd QM Newsroom in 2024
2024-05-28 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/Paris) | Online
The second session in 2024 will be held on 28 May, 10:00-11:00 am CEST via Zoom on the topic of:
Interoperability in biobanking: OMOP for standardising medical outcome data
We will welcome two guests:

Petr Holub (Head of IT / CIO, BBMRI-ERIC)
Esmond Urwin (Digital Research Technologist, University of Nottingham)

PLEASE REGISTER here for the Zoom meeting and MAKE USE of the possibility to add the event to your calendar.
Please spread the invitation about the Newsroom in your RIs, networks and social media channels (please use @BBMRIERIC and #BBMRI_QM), the event is open to anyone interested.

BBMRI-ERIC Academy: Symposium - Ethical, legal and societal insights & outlook for biobanks and medical research
2024-06-04 - 2024-06-06 | IARC/WHO, 25 Av. Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France, 25 Av. Tony Garnier, Lyon, 69007, France
Join us in Lyon, France on 4-6 June 2024 for an exciting 2 ½ day symposium which will showcase 10 years of insight and outlook on ethical, legal, and societal implications (ELSI) relevant for biobanks and biomedical research. This meeting will celebrate the faceted plurality of ELSI expertise across countries stemming from both interdisciplinary service provision and research.
Programme
The event starts on 4 June at 14h and ends on 6 June at 16h. It is designed as a roadshow across key achievements and outlook on aspects relevant for biobanking such as artificial intelligence, genetics and genomics, gender, governance, regulatory compliance or datafication, among others in topical sessions.
Confirmed distinguished keynote speakers include:

Klaus Høyer, Professor of Medical Science and Technology Studies at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and author of the book Exchanging Human Bodily Material- Rethinking Bodies and Markets
Amany Maher, Assistant Consultant of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Faculty of Medicine Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI) and Executive Director of the MASRI Cancer Biobank, Cairo, Egypt
Andreas Alois Reis, MD, MSc, Co-Lead of the Global Health Ethics Team in the Division of the Chief Scientist at WHO in Geneva, Switzerland
Anne Cambon-Thomsen, Emeritus Research Director at CNRS, France and Co-Director and Coordinator of the BBMRI-ERIC Common Service ELSI

The preliminary full programme is now available. An abstract booklet will be published in due course.
Registration and young researchers
The meeting will be a 2 ½ days in-person event. Registration follows a first-come-first-serve approach. Places are limited to 100 attendees. In addition, five speaker slots and travel scholarships à 700€ for registration fee and travel/accommodation are reserved for young researchers (PhD candidates until 5 years after PhD). The poster sessions are open to everyone.
To register for the event as attendee (or young researcher/poster presenter incl. abstract submission 250 words), use this link.
Registration and abstracts will close once the maximum number of attendees has been reached. For the discount code for BBMRI members please contact Verena Borecky.
Decisions on abstracts and travel scholarship for young researchers will be communicated early May 2024.
Venue
IARC/WHO, 25 Av. Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
Acknowledgements
This symposium is co-organised by BBMRI-ERIC, IARC/WHO, UNIMIB as an activity of the BBMRI Academy.

BioMed.AI Summer School
2024-09-11 - 2024-09-13 | Portuguese National Library, Campo Grande 83, Lisbon, Campo Grande 83, Lisbon, 1749-081, Portugal
The BioMed.AI Summer School takes place from 11-13 September in Lisbon, Portugal. It is organised by the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens under the auspices of the Academy of Athens and co-organisers Nova School of Law & What Next Law in Lisbon Portugal. The event is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO)/ International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), European Public Law Organization and BBMRI-ERIC.
Michaela Th. Mayrhofer, Head of ELSI Services and Research, will be speaking at the event as a representative of BBMRI-ERIC.
Registrations close on 5 July 2024.

About the event
The second edition of the BiomedAI Summer School continues a journey at the intersection of biomedical research, healthcare, ethics, and cutting-edge innovation.
The objective is to bridge the realms of Biomedicine, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence while upholding the principles of ethical conduct and responsible innovation. As we navigate the landscape of AI applications in medicine and healthcare, we recognise the immense potential they hold for revolutionising personalised medicine. However, with great innovation comes great responsibility. It’s crucial that we tread carefully, mindful of the ethical, legal, and social implications inherent in the advancement of AI in these critical fields. Our focus extends beyond mere technological prowess; we aim to foster a culture of ethical consideration and regulatory compliance to safeguard human life and dignity.
The BiomedAI Summer School international initiative, serves as a nexus for interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together scholars and professionals from philosophy, law, biomedical sciences, and technology. Through a blend of lectures and hands-on workshops, participants gain profound insights into the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in healthcare, while exploring the intricacies of Responsible Research Innovation (RRI).
This year, we’re thrilled to announce our collaboration with our esteemed local co-organizing partners: whatnext.law, and Nova School of Law in Lisbon, Portugal.
Our distinguished speakers hail from diverse backgrounds, including the European Parliament, EHDS, European and US Academia, enriching our discourse with invaluable perspectives.
While our support network evolves, we’re honored to welcome the endorsement of the World Health Organization (WHO), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), European Public Law Organization and of BBMRI-ERIC, underscoring the global significance of our endeavors.
Join us as we embark on this transformative journey, guided by the principles of ethics, innovation, and collaboration. Together, let’s shape the future of healthcare in the age of AI.

Register here before 5 July.

More event details are available on the BioMed.AI Summer School website.

3rd QM Newsroom in 2024
2024-10-15 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/Paris) | Online
The third session in 2024 will be held on 15 October, 10:00-11:00 am CEST via Zoom.
As our guest, we are pleased to welcome Petra Tauscher from Biobank Graz.
PLEASE REGISTER here for the Zoom meeting and MAKE USE of the possibility to add the event to your calendar.
The online meeting will follow the agenda below:

Welcome and introduction (BBMRI.QM)
Getting a Biobank “Fit for Blackout” (Guest)
Q&A (all)

Please spread the invitation about the Newsroom in your RIs, networks and social media channels (please use @BBMRIERIC and #BBMRI_QM), the event is open to anyone interested.

BBMRI-ERIC Academy: Webinar – „High quality samples and what about the data?!“
2024-10-30 15:00 - 16:30 (Europe/Vienna) | Online
BBMRI-ERIC Academy: Webinar – „High quality samples and what about the data?!“
This BBMRI-ERIC ACADEMY webinar aims to highlight the importance of “data quality” for the BBMRI community, including data and technology experts, quality managers, and biobank professionals. We will delve into the different aspects of data quality, measurement techniques, and its practical use in centralised databases such as the CRC Cohort, as well as in federated systems like the Federated Platform. The session is designed for biobankers, data scientists and researchers, Quality Managers as well as healthcare professionals.
When: 30 October, 3:00 – 4:30 pm CET
Where: online (Zoom)

Registration
PLEASE REGISTER* to the Zoom meeting https://cesnet.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJArd-uhrT8rHtB7OJ1uz_wDqojXvDSU1L7m and MAKE USE of the possibility to add the event to your calendar.
Please spread the invitation about the BBMRI-ERIC Academy sessions in your RIs, networks and social media channels (please use @BBMRIERIC and #BBMRI_QM), the event is open to anyone interested.

Speakers
The webinar will be hosted by Zohaib Hassan (Charité, Germany) and we will have four distinguished speakers as our guests:
Niina Eklund (BBMRI-ERIC)
Eva García Álvarez (BBMRI-ERIC)
Defne Halici (DKFZ, Germany)
Hang Phan (BC Platforms, UK)

Agenda
3:00 – 3:10: Welcome and introduction (Zohaib Hassan)
3:10 – 4:15: High quality samples and what about the data?! (scientific lecture) (Guests)
4:15 – 4:25: Discussion, Q&A (all)
4:25 – 4:30: Word of thanks and end of meeting (Zohaib Hassan)

For further questions, please feel free to contact the BBMRI.QM team:
https://www.bbmri-eric.eu/qm-experts/

BBMRI.QM Newsroom
2024-12-03 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/Paris)
BBMRI.QM Newsroom
The 4th and final BBMRI.QM Newsroom session of 2024 will BBMRI’s view on FHIR (Fast Health Interoperability Resources) with guest speakers Radovan Tomášik (BBMRI-ERIC) and Šimon Koňár (Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute). Radovan Tomášik is a Software Engineer at BBMRI-ERIC with over four years of experience working with FHIR and, as an active member of HL7 CZ, contributes to the advancement of healthcare interoperability standards. Šimon Koňár is a software developer with a strong background in the FHIR standard. At the BBMRI.cz national node, he leverages his expertise in FHIR to help Czech biobanks transform their data into the FHIR format and upload it to the BBMRI-ERIC infrastructure.
Register here for the Zoom meeting!

Access and benefit-sharing of Genetic Resources: the Nagoya Protocol applied to biobanks
2025-02-24 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/Paris)
Access and benefit-sharing of Genetic Resources: the Nagoya Protocol applied to biobanks
The fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources—known as Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS)—is a key principle in global research and innovation. Governed by the Nagoya Protocol, this international framework ensures compliance and fair use of genetic material, with 141 countries on board since its enforcement in 2014.
For researchers, biobanks, and institutions, navigating national ABS regulations can be complex, impacting how biological materials are accessed and exchanged. Clear guidelines are essential to streamline compliance while enabling scientific progress.
Join us for an insightful webinar, where Melania Muñoz (Leibniz Institute DSMZ) will break down the Nagoya Protocol and its impact on biobanks. Josephine Uldry (Swiss Biobanking Platform) will explore the Swiss regulatory landscape, while Dr. Christian de Guttry (Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics) will share real-world insights of the Nagoya protocol application from Swiss and pan-European research projects.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical knowledge, expert perspectives, and actionable strategies to navigate ABS with confidence!
Join us on 24 February 2025 at 10:00 CEST.
Register online: https://cesnet.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3Tkkwf7US0OJlkibAwGEyg
Moderator:
Ilaria Colussi (BBMRI-ERIC)
Speakers:
Melania Muñoz (Leibniz Institute DSMZ)
Josephine Uldry (Swiss Biobanking Platform)
Christian de Guttry (Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics)

This webinar is a offered by the ELSI Services & Research Department at BBMRI-ERIC.

Navigating the Future: Legal and IT Challenges, Risks, and Opportunities of AI in Biobanking
2025-04-11 11:00 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)
Navigating the Future: Legal and IT Challenges, Risks, and Opportunities of AI in Biobanking –
ELSI Dialogues session
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into biobanking presents transformative opportunities for research, diagnostics, and personalised medicine. However, this technological evolution also introduces complex legal, regulatory, and technical challenges.
Join us for an engaging and interactive webinar featuring a dynamic dialogue between two leading experts: Prof. Nikolaus Forgó (University of Vienna, Austria), Professor for IT- and IP Law, who is also an expert member of the Austrian Data Protection Council and Member of the AI Advisory Board and Prof. Marco Montali (The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy), Professor in Computer Engineering and awarded by the Italian Association of Artificial Intelligence to the best under 35 Italian researchers in artificial intelligence.
This session will address critical regulatory frameworks such as the GDPR and the AI Act, examining how data protection laws influence the deployment of AI technologies in biobanking, what the legal responsibilities arising from AI-driven decisions are and how the AI Act is publicly perceived.
The webinar will also showcase real-world applications of AI in biobank data analysis and management, and discuss methods to mitigate bias in AI algorithms and strategies to ensure transparency and explainability in AI-driven insights.
Furthermore, our speakers will explore the inherent tension between political, legal, and technical considerations when implementing AI at scale, sharing concrete examples and best practices.
This event will foster an open and thought-provoking conversation, encouraging active participation and deeper insights.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an interactive and insightful dialogue!
Join us on 11 April 2025 at 11:00 CEST.
Register here.

Moderator:
Dr. Ilaria Colussi (BBMRI-ERIC)
Speakers:
Prof. Nikolaus Forgó (University of Vienna, Austria)
Prof. Marco Montali (Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy)

This webinar is a offered by ELSI Services & Research Department at BBMRI-ERIC.

BBMRI.QM Newsroom: Proficiency Testing in Liquid Biobanking – A versatile tool for the identification of variations in process and sample quality
2025-04-29 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/Paris)
BBMRI.QM Newsroom: Proficiency Testing in Liquid Biobanking – A versatile tool for the identification of variations in process and sample quality
In the first BBMRI.QM Newsroom of the year, the focus will be on the „Continuous Improvement“ pillar of the BBMRI.QM services, which underpins BBMRI-ERIC’s efforts to enhance quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) measures in biobanks. This pillar aims to ensure that biobanks provide high-quality materials and data for health research.
On 29 April, Sven Heiling from the Integrated Biobank Jena will present on Proficiency Testing in Liquid Biobanking – A versatile tool for the identification of variations in process and sample quality. Proficiency testing is crucial for identifying variations in process and sample quality, especially in the pre-analytical phase. This session will highlight how proficiency testing can help biobanks maintain consistency and reliability, contributing to the continuous improvement of biobanking practices.
Save the date: 29 April and join us to explore this essential topic in biobanking quality management.

Guest Speaker: Sven Heiling (Integrated Biobank Jena)
Host: Stella Antoniou (Quality Manager, BBMRI-ERIC)

When: 29 April, 10-11 CEST via Zoom

Registration: https://cesnet.zoom.us/meeting/register/FvsEHVOvT2eQfoA6W5lINQ

Agenda:
10:00-10:05 Introduction (Stella Antoniou)
10:05-10:45 Presentation (Sven Heiling)
10:45-10:55 Q&A (all)
10:55-11:00 Closing remarks

Europe Biobank Week 2025
2025-05-13 08:00 - 2025-05-16 17:00 (Europe/Paris) | Bologna Congressi, Piazza della Costituzione 4, Bologna, 40128, Italy
SAVE THE DATE: The most important event of the year in the global biobanking community!
Join us at Bologna Congressi, Italy from 13-16 May 2025 at #EBW25 for the biggest biobanking networking opportunity, to meet industry representatives at the exhibition, discuss the newest findings and hot topics with experts from healthcare, academia, and industry, and attend high-quality scientific programmes.
The congress will highlight state-of-the-art biobanking innovations and research. This action-packed congress will feature keynote presentations, panels and workshops organised by ESBB and BBMRI-ERIC.
Details on sponsorship and registration will follow shortly on the EBW website.

Empowering Voices: Enhancing Patient Engagement in Oncology Research – Experiences, Challenges, and Pathways to Inclusion
2025-06-03 15:00 - 16:30 (Europe/Paris)
Empowering Voices: Enhancing Patient Engagement in Oncology Research – Experiences, Challenges, and Pathways to Inclusion.
This webinar aims to spark a meaningful discussion on strategies to strengthen patient engagement throughout the various stages of oncological research. Experts from the life sciences, together with patient representatives, will explore current barriers, identify key challenges, and collaboratively discuss practical solutions. A central focus will be on elevating patients’ voices and experiences in research participation, highlighting their essential role in shaping more inclusive and impactful cancer research.
This webinar is part of the canSERV project, which aims to deliver cutting-edge cancer research services to scientists across EU member states, associated countries, and beyond. The project unites a multidisciplinary consortium of 18 European partners specializing in oncology, project management, and sustainability.
Panellists:
Margareta Haag (Swedish Network against Cancer)
Stefanie Houwaart (BRCA Network)
Zisis Kozlakidis (IARC/WHO)
Moderator:
Melanie Goisauf (BBMRI-ERIC)

Registration: https://cesnet.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1JSt2JcMSZy92ceURHzWrA

BioTechX Europe 2025
2025-10-06 09:00 - 2025-10-08 13:30 (Europe/Paris) | Messe Basel, Messeplatz 10, Basel, 4005, Switzerland
SAVE THE DATE
BBMRI-ERIC will once again be at the BioTechX Europe Congress. BioTechX Europe is Europe’s largest congress covering diagnostics, precision medicine and digital transformation in pharmaceutical development and healthcare.
The 3-day event will return to Basel, the pharma hub of Europe, this time with over 3000 leaders in the field, 400 speakers, 150 exhibitors and 50 start-ups all under one roof. The BioTechX Europe Congress features speakers from the top 50 pharmaceutical companies, biotech, healthcare systems and academic groups creating endless networking opportunities.
📆 Date: 6-8 October 2025
📍Venue: Messe Basel, Switzerland
🔗 Register

BBMRI-ERIC ACADEMY SYMPOSIUM: Ethical, Legal, and Societal Aspects in View of Recent EU Legislation
2025-10-22 13:00 - 2025-10-23 18:30 (Europe/Paris)
SAVE THE DATE
This two-day event provides a rich, interdisciplinary learning experience guided by experts in the field of ethics, law, social science, philosophy or arts.

Date: 22-23. October 2025
Where: Bilbao, Spain

Registration is closed.

🔗 Programme

Sessions

SESSION 1: The European Health Data Space (EHDS). General Overview
SESSION 2: Bringing the Community Together: Physicians, Researchers & Infrastructures
SESSION 3: Citizen Participation, Transparency & Science
SESSION 4: Data Subjects’ Rights
SESSION 5: The Role of Biobanks in the EHDS Governances
SESSION 6: Presentations by Early-Career Researchers
SESSION 7: ELSI Aspects of Artificial Intelligence in Biobanking

YOUNG RESEARCHERS AWARD
Application
We encourage early career researchers in the ELSI field to submit either a poster or an abstract in order to apply for the Young Researchers Award (à 700€). If your research is in any way connected to recent developments in EU health legislation or the wider ELSI field and you want to present to the ELSI community, please submit either your poster or an abstract until 15 August 2025. Decisions will be made shortly after the deadline.
Application has now closed!

Sponsorship Opportunity for the Young Researchers Award:
Support the ELSI Symposium and the work of early career researchers by contributing to our Young Researchers Award.
Seven submissions from early career researchers (PhD candidates until 5 years after PhD), who will be selected by the scientific committee of the symposium, will be able to present their research from the ELSI field to the ELSI community.
Your support is highly appreciated – we will include your logo in all future communications and placement during the symposium.

Organisers
BBMRI-ERIC
University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
University of Milano-Bicocca (UNIMIB)
Platform ISCIII Biomodels and Biobanks (BBMRI.es)
Contact
Viridiana Beltran Venegas (BBMRI-ERIC) viridiana.beltran@bbmri-eric.eu
Francesca Tassinari (UPV/EHU) francesca.tassinari@ehu.eus
Venue
Bizkaia Aretoa – UPV/EHU
Abandoibarra Etorb., 3
Abando, 48009 Bilbao, Biscay (Spain)

Further details will be added to this event page as they become available.

Trustworthy by Design: Ethics, Practice, and Impact of AI in Cancer Research and Care
2025-10-28 14:00 - 15:30 (Europe/Paris)
Trustworthy by Design: Ethics, Practice, and Impact of AI in Cancer Research and Care
Description:
Trustworthy AI has become a central concept in the ethical development and application of artificial intelligence in medicine. In cancer research, particularly in imaging, the potential of AI to improve diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient outcomes is immense. But what does it mean for AI to be truly trustworthy in practice?
This webinar brings together experts working at the intersection of AI development and cancer care to discuss practical dimensions of trustworthy AI. Topics will include current applications, perceived benefits, and challenges in clinical environments, as well as the role of human involvement, knowledge-sharing, and trust-building in real-world settings. The discussion will explore how to ensure that AI tools are not only reliable but also accepted and used with confidence.
The session will highlight concrete aspects to make AI in cancer research more inclusive, responsible, and impactful—supporting both patients and professionals in high-stakes medical decisions. Join us for an open and practice-oriented dialogue on how to foster trust in AI for cancer research and care.
Registration via Zoom: https://cesnet.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JAV88wUGTVKrdtk49sy0fw

Invited Experts:
Dr. Maciej Bobowicz (Medical University of Gdańsk)
Dr Maciej Bobowicz is an Assistant Professor at the 2nd Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland, and a surgical oncologist specialising in breast cancer diagnostics and treatment. His research focuses on the ethical and clinically responsible use of artificial intelligence in oncology, radiomics, and precision medicine.
He leads or contributes to several EU-funded projects, including EuCanImage, RadioVal, MAYA, Cinderella, TRACE and CAREWAY. He is also part of the AI4HI network, which supports the EUCAIM initiative under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Author of over 80 scientific papers, Dr Bobowicz is committed to advancing patient-centred, trustworthy, and equitable AI applications in cancer imaging and care.
Prof. Karim Lekadir (University of Barcelona)
Karim Lekadir is an ICREA Research Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Barcelona. He obtained his PhD from Imperial College London and was a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University. He investigates new data science techniques for trustworthy and ethical artificial intelligence in medicine. He has been PI in 15 EU-funded projects, coordinated 6 Horizon projects, and was awarded an ERC Consolidator grant to investigate new AI techniques tailored to resource-limited settings.
Moderator: Melanie Goisauf (BBMRI-ERIC)
Dr. Melanie Goisauf is an accomplished social scientist with a PhD in Sociology from the University of Vienna, where she graduated with honours. She also studied at the Royal Holloway University of London and completed the postgraduate program “Sociology of Social Practices” at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) Vienna.With almost two decades of experience as researcher and lecturer at, amongst others, the Department of Science and Technology Studies and the Institute of Sociology of the University of Vienna, as well as at the University of Malta, Dr. Goisauf has established herself as a leading expert in her field. As senior scientist at BBMRI-ERIC she is involved in several research projects and serves on ethical advisory boards. Dr. Goisauf also leads the Ethics of AI Lab, which focuses on the ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence, and is in charge of the scientific coordination of the Horizon Europe project PERIFORMANCE.
Registration via Zoom: https://cesnet.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JAV88wUGTVKrdtk49sy0fw

2nd BBMRI-ERIC QM Newsroom 2025
2025-12-02 10:00 - 11:30 (Europe/Paris)
From sample to science: ensuring quality in human microbiome research
Register here
2nd December 2025, 10:00-11:30 CET
Summary:
This training provides an overview of the human microbiome and its growing relevance in biomedical and translational research. Participants will learn about its impact on health and disease as well as the scientific and technical challenges currently faced in microbiome research and how standardisation can help here. In addition, the new Self-Assessment Survey based on CEN/TS 17626 “Molecular in vitro diagnostic examinations – Specifications for pre-examination processes for human specimen – Isolated microbiome DNA” will be introduced. Participants will receive guidance in requesting, navigating, completing and submitting the Self-Assessment Survey.
Speakers:
Patrizia Brigidi (University of Bologna)
Alice Bernardi (University of Bologna)
Host: Maike Tauchert (BBMRI-ERIC)
Agenda:

Training: From sample to science: ensuring quality in human microbiome research

Launch of new Self-Assessment Survey (SAS) for the CEN/TS 17626

Q&A

After watching the webinar, participants will have acquired the following knowledge:

Understanding what the human microbiome is and why it is important to study it

Status quo and existing challenges in this specific field of research

Need for standardisation of biobanking activities for biological material for microbiome research

Awareness of CEN/TS 17626 “Molecular in vitro diagnostic examinations – Specifications for pre-examination processes for human specimen – Isolated microbiome DNA”

Requesting, navigating, completing and submitting the new Self-Assessment Survey based on CEN/TS 17626 requirements

Register here

Webinar on Green Biobanking survey
2026-01-28 10:00 - 11:30 (Europe/Paris) | Online
As part of the EvolveBBMRI project, a survey on Green Biobanking Environmental Challenges and Best Practices was conducted to engage National Nodes and their associated biobanks in a comprehensive mapping exercise. The survey aimed to identify and assess key gaps and challenges in the implementation and long-term maintenance of environmentally sustainable biobanking practices.
This important initiative laid the foundation for Strategic Objective 3 (SO3) of our Work Programme 2025–2027, which focuses on Fostering green biobanking and Research Infrastructure operations.
On 28 January, BBMRI-ERIC, together with the National Nodes of Austria (Biobank Graz) and the Netherlands (Amsterdam UMC Biobank), will host a webinar to discuss how further analysis and strategic use of the survey results can enhance our collective understanding of, and progress toward, greener biobanking practices.
When: Wednesday, 28th of January 10:00 – 11:30 CET
Where: online, ZOOM
Link to registration: https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/92954306736?pwd=[REDACTED]
Speakers:

Monika Valjan, BBMRI.at
Jörg Hamann, BBMRI.nl

Host: Saba Abdulghani, BBMRI-ERIC
Agenda:

Welcome and introduction – Saba Abdulghani, BBMRI-ERIC

Evaluation/results – Monika Valjan, BBMRI.at

Evaluation/results – Jörg Hamann, BBMRI.nl

General findings

Discussion
