Biobank user manual

The Biobank provides samples and clinical data from donors to promote biomedical research.

A Biobank is a public or private, non-profit institution that houses one or more collections of human biological samples for biomedical research purposes. These collections are organized as a technical unit according to criteria of quality, organization, and intended use, regardless of whether samples for other purposes are also stored.

Currently, there are three options for working with human biological samples:

  1. Samples associated with a research project:
    • Exclusive use for the specific research project.
    • Samples cannot be transferred to third parties.
    • Samples must be destroyed once the project has been completed.
    • Project-specific informed consent.
  2. Samples associated with a research line:
    • Exclusive use for the established research line.
    • Samples cannot be transferred to third parties.
    • Research line-specific informed consent.
    • The collection must be registered with the Data Protection Agency and as a collection with ISCIII.
  3. Samples stored in the Biobank:
    • The Biobank is responsible for the samples and associated data.
    • Samples may be transferred to third parties.
    • Broad Biobank consent.
    • Samples may be used for any research project approved by the Ethics Committee.

As established by Biomedical Research Act 14/2007, Royal Decree on Biobanks RD 1716/2011, European Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR), and Organic Law LOPD-GDD 3/2018 on Personal Data Protection, together with their implementing regulations, all personal data collected will be obtained, processed, and stored while ensuring confidentiality at all times. In the case of international sample transfers, the same level of data protection required under European Regulation 2016/679 will be guaranteed. If the Biobank is required to disclose data due to legal requirements or other contractual or legal obligations, the donor or legal guardian will be notified of such disclosure to third parties.

Sample services

  1. How to initiate a collection:
    • Project initiation request form.
    • Documentation: research project and favorable opinion from the Ethics Committee.
    • Type of samples and processing procedures.
    • Budget.
  2. How to request samples from the Biobank:
    • Requesting samples from the Biobank catalogue:
      • Project application form.
      • Sample availability and Principal Investigator (PI) approval.
      • Documentation: research project and favorable opinions from the Ethics and Scientific Committees.
      • Material Transfer Agreement (MTA).
    • Requesting samples from the PI's own collection or research project:
      • Sample request form.

        From the moment a request is made for samples belonging to a Biobank collection, the maximum delivery time will be 10 working days (this period may be extended depending on the number of samples requested and will be agreed upon with the research staff). For requests involving samples stored under the Biobank regime, the maximum delivery time will be 10 working days from the date of positive evaluation by the relevant committees.

  3. External services:
    • Custodianship and management of collections.
    • Management of collections within the National Biobank Network Platform.
    • Ethical and legal advisory services.
    • Molecular biology techniques.