“A well-functioning network of biobanks is absolutely essential for the future of medical research and precision medicine,” emphasised the Director General of BBMRI-ERIC, Erik Steinfelder, during his visit to the German Biobank Node (GBN) in Berlin on 19 March 2018. Steinfelder, who joined BBMRI-ERIC in August 2017, is currently visiting the European network’s national nodes with the aim of exchanging on the strategy of BBMRI-ERIC and the national nodes as well as discussing current issues as the basis for joint development.

Biobanks as “enablers” of research

Prof. Dr. Michael Hummel, who is the National Coordinator for the German Biobank Node, and Erik Steinfelder immediately agreed on the question of whether the number of scientific publications or the service concept is the priority for biobanks: their primary role is to facilitate research, hence they are essentially service providers. This attitude is of central importance in order to meet the future requirements in medical research and to make biomaterial samples genuinely accessible. “For us biobankers, it is ultimately about not merely managing refrigerators, but rather enabling our samples to be found and used,” says Michael Hummel.

Working together to advance biomedical research

In many countries, the ‘isolation’ of the biobank communities hampers national and international networking. “You’ve already made headway on this here in Germany,” noted Steinfelder. Precision medicine requires comprehensive cooperation not only within research networks, but also between the different research infrastructures, such as the European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs). “I believe that the orientation of ERICs must be fundamentally changed, as it makes no sense for them to compete for European funding, for example.” GBN’s Managing Director, Dr. Cornelia Rufenach, added: “At the moment, it doesn’t always make sense to participate in EU tenders with over 50 project partners. But the willingness for international networking is greater than ever and the national nodes play a decisive role here as mediators.”

Communication and marketing

“Making new treatments possible” – this is the new slogan with which Erik Steinfelder wishes to communicate BBMRI-ERIC’s central concern to the world. Stakeholders should be informed regularly about the services offered in order to achieve the common goal of developing new diagnostic and treatment methods. Stakeholder management, communication and marketing are therefore important components of BBMRI-ERIC’s work programme; the new communication strategy is now being rolled out.

Closer cooperation agreed

Intensification of the exchange between GBN and BBMRI-ERIC has been agreed in the area of stakeholder management in particular. Corinna Klingler, who was appointed Stakeholder Manager at GBN at the start of the year, reported back on her preliminary discussions with industry representatives. Steinfelder expressed his interest, stating: “We must work together more closely on this point.” A forum to enhance the exchange between the national nodes was also discussed.

Further information:

View the BBMRI-ERIC’s work programme for 2018 here. (English) [PDF]