Recommendations for a Dutch Sustainable Biobanking Environment

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Research
• Biobanking Infrastructure
• Personalized Medicine

Background:

• Biobanks are essential for biomedical research and personalized medicine.
• Ensuring biobank sustainability is critical to prevent research waste and maximize impact.
• Biobanks face challenges due to ethical, societal, scientific, and commercial factors, alongside funding difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify overarching challenges in the Dutch biobanking landscape.
• To propose recommendations for improving the sustainability of biobanking.
• To share outcomes and approaches to support international efforts in sustainable biobanking.

Main Methods:

• Workshops and focus groups were conducted with Dutch biobanks and users.
• Analysis of challenges related to sample/data quality, funding, use/reuse, findability, accessibility, and image.
• Development of a package of recommendations across nine themes.

Main Results:

• Key challenges identified include sample and data quality, funding instability, issues with use and reuse, findability and accessibility, and the overall perception of biobanks.
• A comprehensive set of recommendations has been developed to foster a supportive environment for sustainable biobanking.
• The project highlights the interconnectedness of biobank operations with legislative, policy, and financial factors.

Conclusions:

• Sustainable biobanking requires addressing challenges in quality, funding, accessibility, and perception.
• Implementing the proposed recommendations can create favorable conditions for biobank sustainability.
• The findings and approach offer valuable insights for national and international biobanking communities aiming for long-term viability.