Advances in technology and scientific research have enabled the establishment of biobanks worldwide, starting as centers for storing biological samples and evolving into institutions with specialized infrastructure. Establishing a biobank in an academic institution with limited resources is often considered a difficult goal. However, at Universidad Internacional SEK in Quito, Ecuador, this challenge has been seen as an opportunity to establish a biobank without external funding or specialized infrastructure. A descriptive case study design was used to document the establishment process. For ease of use, microbial isolates were used to implement workflows; these were obtained from undergraduate teaching laboratories and through formal collaboration with a clinical laboratory. The biobank was developed under a quality management system in accordance with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 20387, including the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and governance documents. Performance indicators were established, such as sample storage capacity, processing time, SOP compliance, viability rate, and readiness for the future integration of clinical samples. A total of 190 biological samples were incorporated, including 46 bacterial isolates obtained during teaching practice and 144 diverse microorganisms, including multidrug-resistant strains, provided by the collaborating laboratory. Twenty-five initial SOPs were developed. Storage capacity reached 80%, with an average processing time of 2.5 hours per sample. Viability tests confirmed a 96% recovery rate after 3 months of storage. Student participation in the project provided training in biosafety, traceability, and quality management. Human samples were not included at this stage, as the objective was to establish ethical and legal frameworks that would allow for future expansion. This case study demonstrates that the implementation of biobanks in low- and middle-income countries is viable and operational and strengthens the academic system by integrating teaching and research toward a sustainable scientific infrastructure.

Bacteria can deteriorate spermatozoal quality during semen cryopreservation, compromising artificial insemination (AI) success. Antibiotics are included in extenders to reduce the harmful effects of bacterial contamination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate antibiotics in ring-necked pheasant semen cryopreservation. This study was designed to assess the efficiency of antibiotics (gentamicin, streptomycin, penicillin) on sperm quality and total aerobic bacterial count (TABC) of cryopreserved ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) semen. Semen from eight males (40 ejaculates) was pooled, diluted with Red Fowl Extender, and divided into five treatments including a control; experiments were repeated five times. Samples were cryopreserved using 10% glycerol and stored at -196°C. Sperm quality was assessed at multiple stages postdilution, postcooling, postequilibration, and post-thaw, along with fertility outcomes via AI. TABC was determined by culturing thawed samples at 37°C. All antibiotic treatments significantly improved semen quality compared with the control, with the streptomycin-penicillin (SP) combination yielding the best results across all stages. The SP group exhibited higher acrosome integrity and sperm livability (p < 0.01). Fertility trials showed higher fertilization and hatch rates in the postdilution group compared with the post-thaw group. TABC was below the detectable limits (<1.0 × 104 colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) in all the antibiotic-treated extenders compared with 1.1 × 104 CFU/mL in the control. This study supports the use of antibiotic-enriched extenders to reduce bacterial contamination and enhance reproductive outcomes in avian AI programs, with potential benefits for conservation. Further work is recommended to elucidate mechanisms and optimize antibiotic concentration for long-term storage.

The Biological Sample Management Platform (PGEB) of the Centre Léon Bérard is responsible for the preparation, preservation, storage, and provision of the institution's sample collection. The PGEB was approached to integrate a neuroblastoma collection, one of the most common pediatric cancers. This collection was initiated through the diagnostic reference activity for neuroblastoma at the Centre Léon Bérard. To requalify pediatric biological samples collected between 1984 and 2024 and to make them available for pediatric research protocols. This study began with an assessment of the data associated with each of the 21,389 samples in the collection. These data were then compared with relevant regulations and consensus documents related to biobank data management, as well as the minimum data requirements for research use. Based on this, a methodology for sorting samples-either for retention or disposal-was applied. A set of minimum information criteria was established to revalue the samples. Various texts applicable in France mention the minimum data required for making samples available, but no consensus exists, either nationally or internationally. Furthermore, 65% of the samples met the criteria and were retained for future research use. This article describes the research work that led to the identification of minimum required data. However, further development is needed to harmonize practices regarding data management and interoperability.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for strong biobanking infrastructures to facilitate rapid research and innovation in public health emergencies. The COVID-19 Québec Biobank (BQC19), launched in March 2020, serves as a pioneering initiative to address this demand, enabling the collection, storage, and sharing of biological samples and data to advance diagnostics, therapeutics, and epidemiological research. This article examines the development and operational framework of BQC19, highlighting five key themes central to its success. First, BQC19's anticipatory governance model emphasizes adaptability, leveraging strategic foresight to maintain ethical and efficient operations during the pandemic. Second, the initiative's harmonized yet flexible consent processes ensured participant autonomy and compliance with evolving clinical and public health contexts. Third, BQC19's collaborative governance framework facilitated seamless interinstitutional cooperation, supported by standardized operating procedures and localized manuals of procedures. Fourth, streamlined data access mechanisms, managed by an independent data access committee, promoted ethical and equitable data sharing, balancing privacy considerations with research accessibility. Last, BQC19 demonstrates the transferability of its infrastructure to other health challenges, providing a scalable, ethical, and collaborative model for future public health crises. Through centralized data management, preestablished legal agreements, and tiered access protocols, BQC19 has significantly reduced response times and operational inefficiencies. Its achievements showcase the potential of biobanks in fostering global health collaboration, enabling rapid research mobilization, and addressing emerging health threats. BQC19's legacy lies in its ability to integrate innovation, ethics, and collaboration into a sustainable framework for public health preparedness.

ISO 20387:2018 is the first international standard specifically designed for biobanks, defining requirements for competence, impartiality, and operational consistency. In 2022, the Multi-Specialistic Biobank of the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana became the first biobank in Italy to achieve ISO 20387 accreditation, setting a national benchmark for public-sector quality governance. The accreditation pathway followed a structured 12-month plan combining gap analysis, document harmonization, competence development, and internal audits. A multidisciplinary quality working group redesigned the quality management system and aligned managerial and operational processes with ISO 20387 requirements. Fourteen quality documents were revised or newly developed to standardize workflows, strengthen traceability, and embed risk-based principles throughout the biobank's activities. ISO 20387 accreditation was granted on July 14, 2022. Subsequent surveillance audits in 2023, 2024, and 2025 confirmed sustained compliance and progressive improvements, including expanded internal audits, enhanced risk assessment, digital competence tracking, and strengthened Corrective and Preventive Action effectiveness. Persistent challenges-including infrastructural constraints, limited information technology support, and delays in software modifications-reflected structural limitations typical of public health care settings. This article provides an integrated account of ISO 20387 implementation and long-term maintenance in a public hospital biobank. The Pisa experience offers a replicable model for institutions operating under similar constraints, demonstrating how technical rigor, coordinated governance, and a shared quality culture can sustain accreditation and advance national biobanking excellence.

Biospecimens are an important part of conducting population-based research as they allow the linkage of biological information to other important clinical, social, and environmental factors, providing a more robust understanding of cancer prevention, treatment, and care options. It can be costly and labor-intensive to collect and process these biospecimens, making the use of preexisting, banked biospecimens an appealing option for researchers. This study examines the use of existing biospecimens in National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded population-based cancer control research grants managed by the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) as of January 2024. A total of 104 grants managed by DCCPS, NCI that involved the use of existing biospecimens were included in this analysis. Information that was abstracted from the grants included cancer type, biospecimen type, study design (intervention or observational), cancer continuum category (risk/etiology or survivorship), and named biospecimen resource. The most commonly used biospecimens were blood products (64.4%), DNA (59.6%), tissue (53.8%), and RNA (26.9%). Risk-focused studies mainly used blood products, while survivorship studies favored tissue and RNA. There was also a notable difference in biospecimen use between studies of common versus rare cancers, with rare cancer studies using tissue and RNA samples less frequently than studies of common cancers. The variety of biospecimen types being used to examine a breadth of hypotheses related to cancer risk and survivorship emphasizes the value of biospecimen resources across the cancer continuum.

Plant germplasm is critical for maintaining biodiversity and mitigating genetic erosion. While cryopreservation has emerged as an increasingly vital approach for conserving plant genetic resources, its routine application remains limited due to species- and explant-specific preservation requirements. In many instances, additional experimentation is necessary to develop genotype-specific protocols to achieve satisfactory survival rates. In addition, the technical operation is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Moreover, the survival rate of explants post-cryopreservation from many species remains suboptimal. PVS-based vitrification cryopreservation of dormant buds represents an ideal strategy to address these challenges, leveraging the buds' inherent cold hardiness and robust regrowth capacity. This review focuses on four key determinants of successful PVS-based cryopreservation: the collection time and physiological status of dormant buds, shoot tip dissection, PVS exposure duration, and recovery culture. The insights provided herein may facilitate the rapid development of new protocols or user-friendly procedures for a broader range of plant species, enabling wider adoption by institutions and laboratories, and thereby enhancing global efforts in germplasm conservation.

Biorepositories in African populations are an important tool to ensure inclusive research to benefit African populations and the African diaspora. The establishment of biorepositories in Africa may, however, be impeded if culturally sensitive practices are not followed with respect to community engagement and informed consent. Communitarianism is a philosophical model which can be applied to African ethical processes. This model considers the individual within the broader context of the community and is compatible with cultural and religious practices in diverse African countries. This review considers the application of communitarianism to ethical and socially acceptable biorepository best practice on the African continent.