Supported by the seventh Framework Programme, a seminar to explore the challenges and requirements to create a European Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI) and the development of new cures for complex diseases will take place at the EU Parliament (Salon des Membres, Brussels) on 28th May 2008.

For the seminar, the European Parliament is to present and discuss the current planning, challenges and opportunities facing the creation of a pan-European Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI). The successful implementation of the BBMRI will result in increased quality and reduced cost of research, more effective drug discoveries and improved health care and secure industrial competitiveness for the EU.

The format of BBMRI should be a distributed hub structure in which the hubs coordinate activities, including collection, exchange and analysis of samples and data for the major domains. The biobanks, biomolecular resources and technology centres, which are members of BBMRI, are associated with their specific domain hub (so-called Participants). Furthermore, a variety of public or private partners (e.g., universities, hospitals, companies), which provide biological samples, data, technologies or services may be associated with certain BBMRI members (so-called Associated Organisations).

What is the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure?

A pan-European and broadly accessible network of existing and de novo biobanks and biomolecular resources. The infrastructure will include samples from patients and healthy persons (with links to epidemiological and health care information), molecular genomic resources and biocomputational tools to optimally exploit this resource for global biomedical research.

The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) foresees in its roadmap the pan-European Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI) to further develop these resources and to provide access to academia and industry.

The preparatory phase of BBMRI will be funded within FP7. BBMRI will build on existing sample collections, resources, technologies, and expertise, which will be specifically complemented with innovative components and will be properly embedded into European scientific, ethical, legal and societal framework.

Further Information

For details of the seminar and related activities contact:
Kurt Zatloukal, M.D.
Institute of Pathology
Medical University of Graz
Auenbruggerplatz 25
A-8036 Graz
Austria

Tel: +43 316 380 4404
E-mail: kurt.zatloukal@meduni-graz.