A TRANSLACORE biobanking training event increased awareness for sample and data use in translational regulatory studies

The TRANSLACORE Biobanking Training School was held at the Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Centre in June

This article is 633 words and a three-minute read.

From June 10-12, 2024, the COST-TRANSLACORE Training School on Biobanking was held at the Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG). IBG-Biobank, as a member of BBMRI-ERIC, aims to further contribute to the advancement of cancer research through biobanking applications.

The event aimed to increase the awareness and knowledge of project partners on biobanking of biological samples and associated data used in cancer-related translational regulatory studies. Organised to promote collaborative multinational research in this field, the event was supported by the CA 21154-TRANSLACORE-COST.

The Training School welcomed 28 trainees from different countries across Europe under the instructorship of experts from different fields, including multiple members of the Turkish National Node of BBMRI:

• Neşe Atabey (Director of IBG Biobank, TR, BBMRI.tr)
• Prof John Le Quesne (University of Glasgow, CRUK Scotland Research Institute, UK)
• Andrea Wutte, MSc (Head of Quality Management at BBMRI-ERIC, AT)
• Pamela McCall (Director of the Glasgow Tissue Research Facility at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, UK)
• Attorney Ahmet Esat Berktaş, LL.B., LL.M., TR
• Joan Wilson, (Biomedical Specialist at NHS Grampian Biorepository, UK)
• Séverine Tabone-Eglinger (Director of the Lyon Leon Berard Cancer Center Innovative MODels Initiative, FR)
• Assoc Prof Özkan Özdemir (Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine, TR, BBMRI.tr)
• Sanem Tercan Avcı (IBG Biobank Manager, TR, BBMRI.tr)
• Ece Akhan Güzelcan, (Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, TR, BBMRI.tr)
• Yücel Erbilgin (Istanbul University Aziz Sancar Research Center, TR, BBMRI.tr)

A comprehensive training program to improve biobanking knowledge and skills.

The training program included not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills in obtaining, processing, and storing high-quality human biological samples, which are critical for effective cancer research. Trainees participated in a wide range of activities, including presentations, case studies, interactive panel discussions with experts, and hands-on training sessions. The event also focused on methods to facilitate research by reducing the time required to access biological samples and related data in biobanks. In addition, the trainees learned about ethics, confidentiality, consent forms, quality standards, and accreditation processes.

By sharing comprehensive information with the participants about the importance of pre-analytical process quality control, BBMRI-ERIC’s Head of QM, Andrea Wutte, talked about the importance of quality management during biobanking. Andrea provided information about the international standard for biobanking, ISO 20387, and explained how to benefit from the current guidelines published for the implementation of this standard.

The participants were also introduced to activities of BBMRI-ERIC, the European Research Infrastructure for Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources, that provides academia and industry with access to high-quality samples and data for biomedical research.

Sharing knowledge and fostering collaborations

The Biobanking training school provided a platform where participants could interact with leading experts in the field, paving the way for future collaborative research. The hands-on sessions offered participants a practical experience they could immediately apply to their work. Andrea Wutte summarises her at the event experiences as follows:

“It was impressive to see the energy, enthusiasm and competence with which the organisers and lecturers of this Biobanking Training School imparted knowledge about the requirements for high-quality biobanking to the participants. It became obvious that practical training, supplemented by expert lectures and exchange of experience, can convey to the participants, why the standardisation and harmonisation of biobanking processes is the only way to achieve high-quality biomedical research results. It should be emphasised that the trainees, also scientists, supported this fruitful exchange through their very active participation”.

A picture gallery and a short video take you through the highlights of the training school.

If you are interested in future events of the COST academy, you find here the event calendar and further information. To stay up to date with current developments in biobanking Quality management, visit our BBMRI.QM Newsroom sessions, where the biobanking community comes together to engage with experts speakers.