EB RI Biobank Team at Europe Biobank Week 2026: Insights, Networking, and Future Opportunities

Dr. Christina Guttmann-Gruber, Dr. Bernadette Liemberger and Dr. Stefan Hainzl from the EB RI biobank team attended Europe Biobank Week 2026 in Prague, held from 19–22 May 2026 and hosted by BBMRI-ERIC and ESBB. The conference brought together 778 participants from 50 countries, offering a valuable platform for scientific exchange and collaboration within the international biobanking community.

The congress opened with specialized workshops addressing current challenges and developments in biobanking. Team members participated in sessions focusing on pediatric biobanking, data quality, and microbiome biobanking. The workshop on engaging young participants provided valuable practical ideas and examples for strengthening participant involvement and enhancing the long-term biobank sustainability.

A major benefit of attending the conference was the opportunity to connect with colleagues and experts from across Europe and beyond, including representatives from biobanking initiatives in Graz as well as specialists from the United Kingdom, Hungary, India, Finland, and Sweden. 

The industry exhibition showcased the latest technologies and products for biobanking, including solutions for sample storage, automation, and data management. It also enabled direct comparison of different solutions and providers, helping identify potential improvements for future biobank operations.
The scientific program covered a broad spectrum of topics including emerging technologies, best practices, artificial intelligence, data management, cybersecurity, ethical governance, and multi-omics approaches. 

Ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations - particularly in pediatric biobanking - formed another important theme throughout the conference. Furthermore, the conference highlighted the growing importance of linking high-quality biological samples with comprehensive health-related data to advance future diagnostics and therapeutic development. Sessions focusing on disease-specific biobanks, including rare disease biobanks, demonstrated how well-curated collections and associated datasets can accelerate research and contribute to precision medicine approaches.

Overall, Europe Biobank Week 2026 provided our team with important scientific insights, exposure to emerging technologies, and valuable opportunities for networking and future collaboration, all of which will contribute to the continued development of our biobanking activities.