Rapid technical development
The technical development in the analysis of biological samples, for example the analysis of DNA and proteins, continues to advance rapidly. This promises better possibilities of discovering disease at an early stage, giving patients better diagnoses, and determining the best treatment for certain diseases. The possibility of analyzing our DNA, and the expression of our genes and protein has opened new possibilities for researchers to map the basic causes of illness and health.
The lack of accessible large, high quality sample collections has become a rate limiting step for medical research and diagnosis. Sweden will enhance present and future medical research with a sophisticated and highly cost-effective investment in a unified biobank infrastructure. This unique and progressive resource which will strengthen Swedish medical research, industry and health care.
Good conditions in Sweden
Conditions for creating a successful biobank infrastructure in Sweden are particularly favorable. The Nordic countries, and especially Sweden, have been pioneers in the building and use of biobanks. One important condition has been the possibility of linking medical information to saved biological samples. This is based on the fact the at Sweden has a wide range of medical registers, based on the Swedish civic registration numbers, facilitating the retrieval of extensive information on illness and health. This gives BBMRI.se further strength for building a leading biobank infrastructure in Europe, both now and in the future.
One important hub in the national biobank infrastructure BBMRI.se will be a national center for the storage of samples in a large, effective and quality assured automatic system. This will greatly reduce the cost for the creation and use of biobanks and at the same time facilitate the effective retrieval of samples for analysis. Groups of leading Swedish researchers will harmonize, coordinate and consolidate biobanking of biological samples.
European cooperation
Work with BBMRI.SE will occur in close cooperation with BBMRI at the EU level (www.bbmri.eu) in order to make possible the best common development and use of biobanks throughout Europe. BBMRI’s strategy is illustrated in its logotype where international and national entities with leading competence in biobank’s research are part of a comprehensive network where international centers work with national centers who then work with regional centers.
BBMRI.se will function as a Swedish participant in the existing international EU cooperation on biobanks, BBMRI. The international BBMRI-network, which is Europe’s largest infrastructure, includes today 51 institutions and more than 200 participating organizations from 27 countries. The Swedish BBMRI.se infrastructure will be organized in the same way as BBMRI at the EU-level, taking into consideration the unique conditions which exist in Sweden, in order to reach the best possible biobank infrastructure.
Improving the biobank infrastructure in Sweden
BBMRI.se will optimize techniques for analysis of stored samples and IT-systems for biobanking. We will ensure that the large amounts of data have uniformity and high quality, and that they are easily accessible for research. We will also thoroughly research the ethical, legal and social aspects of biobanking.
In summary, the Swedish biobanking infrastructure (BBMRI.se) will be one of the largest biobank initiatives in the world. It will place Sweden in a leading position in the development of new and effective techniques for biobanking, and strengthen Swedish medical research, health care and industry. Included in BBMRI.se’s tasks is to create a strategy for long-term biobank funding, providing maximum value for funders and society.
The Swedish Research Council’s support is the first fundamental step towards establishing BBMRI.se as a leading international biobank infrastructure.