Advantages of the GBN
The German Biobank Network (GBN) unites academic biobanks at 37 locations that collect human biosamples and make them available for biomedical research. They establish common quality standards and make samples and associated data accessible throughout Europe. Until mid-2025, the GBN was known as the "German Biobank Alliance (GBA)".
The GBN stands for a strong community and intensive exchange among each other. It promotes the harmonisation and centralisation of biobanking. Centralisation here does not necessarily mean the consolidation of smaller facilities into a single large one, but rather good coordination at sites with different (sub-)biobanks. There are numerous successful examples of this in the network.
GBN partner biobanks take part in round robin tests and internal "friendly audits" and receive extensive advice on QM and IT issues. The Sample Locator, a decentralised online search tool(samplelocator.bbmri.de), makes it much easier for researchers to search for biosamples and associated data, thereby increasing the visibility of the biobanks represented. The Negotiator chat tool supports biobanks in communicating with enquiring researchers. The GBN partners benefit from exchanging ideas with each other by participating in internal workshops and training courses, as well as from strong representation of interests within the network. In addition, the services in the areas of stakeholder management and public relations offer GBN biobanks many advantages. Last but not least, the network enables participation in collaboration projects.
Requirements for partner biobanks
If your biobank fulfils certain requirements, it is possible to participate as a partner in the GBN. The willingness to make human biosamples and associated data available for research projects outside your institution is a basic requirement. This also applies to an existing entry of your biobank in the BBMRI-ERIC directory. Sufficient IT resources are important for inclusion in the network in order to install and operate a local "bridgehead" that allows the connection to the cross-biobank online sample search. Your biobank should also have an established quality management system - our QM manual can be used as a guideline for this. During the application process, the biobank will be assessed in this respect as part of a friendly audit.
Requirements for Observer
Is your biobank still under construction and your quality management is only just beginning to be established? Are you planning to switch to a professional IT database system? Then you can now learn from the GBN's experience and receive support for the next steps. If your biobank has rules of procedure and an entry in the directory, you can apply to become an observer. Employees of an Observer biobank can take advantage of numerous GBN offers such as webinars and further training - but as an Observer you are not obliged to take part in the overarching EQA schemes or internal audits.
Observer status also serves as preparation for a full partnership. If you initially join as an Observer and are later interested in a partnership in the GBN, the application process is the same as for an initial application as a partner - information on the procedure can be found under "Organisational matters". As an Observer, benefit now from the expertise of the GBN partner sites and become a partner of the network in due course!
Organisational matters
If you are interested in becoming a partner or observer and your biobank largely fulfils the above criteria, you can apply to become a partner or observer.
The application process is as follows:
- You complete the questionnaire in full and submit it by e-mail: germanbiobanknetwork@charite.de. For partner biobank applications, please complete this questionnaire. For Observer applications, please use this questionnaire. If you are seeking a partnership in the GBN, please attach a letter of intent from a representative of your institution/clinical centre.
- In order to obtain more detailed information, we will discuss your application with you in a web conference.
- In the case of an application as a partner biobank: If a partnership is approved after this discussion, we will carry out a friendly audit in your biobank. If you have not already done so, you will now ensure that the biobank is connected to the GBN IT infrastructure.
- Based on all available information, the Steering Committee will decide whether to accept you as a partner biobank or as an observer in the GBN.
Your information will of course be treated with the utmost confidentiality - comprehensive information can be found in our privacy policy.
The inclusion of your biobank in the German Biobank Network (GBN) or the observer status is not associated with any funding from the Network University Medicine (NUM) or the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) or other donors. Even if admission to the GBN itself is free of charge for you, it is possible that participation in certain programmes will incur costs for your biobank (e.g. a contribution to the cost of materials for round robin tests and training courses as well as travel expenses for participation in events).
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail: germanbiobanknetwork@charite.de or by telephone: 030 450 536 347.