Executive Board
Since January 2026, the German Biobank Network (GBN) has been managed by a four-person Executive Board. The spokespersons are PD Dr Sara Nußbeck (Göttingen) and PD Dr Michael Kiehntopf (Jena), and the deputies are Dr Gabriele Anton (Bielefeld) and Dr Ronny Baber (Leipzig). Dr Nußbeck has also been reappointed as National Node Director, representing the GBN in the European biobank network BBMRI-ERIC. The board's term of office is two years.
The Steering Committee confirmed three board members in their positions and elected Ronny Baber as a new member. The board was simultaneously expanded from three to four members to align governance more closely with NUM structures and enable equal representation. The GBN is thus continuing the ongoing development of its management structures.
Steering Committee
(Not pictured: Dr Heidi Altmann, Dr Romy Kirsten, Dr Alexander Brobeil, Prof Dr Roland Jahns.) © Jung-Wolff
The Steering Committee (SC) supports the Executive Board and GBN in implementing the work programme and ensures that the biobanks work together effectively within the network. The committee decides on all matters and shapes the strategic direction. Until 2020, the SC consisted of the heads of all partner biobanks of the former German Biobank Alliance (GBA) and the IT development centres as well as Prof. Dr Michael Hummel as the former National Node Director. The rapidly growing number of biobank partners since 2019 (and -Observer since 2021) made it necessary to reduce the size of the committee. Since 2020, a new 12-member SC has been elected every two years.
In the 2026-2027 term of office, the steering committee is made up of the following members Dr Heidi Altmann, Dr Gabriele Anton, Dr Ronny Baber, Dr Alexander Brobeil, Dr Daniel Brucker, Prof Dr Thomas Illig, Prof Dr Roland Jahns, PD Dr Dr Michael Kiehntopf, Dr Romy Kirsten, Prof Dr Alexandra Nieters, PD Dr Sara Nußbeck and Dr Alexandra Stege.
Scientific and Ethical Advisory Board
The Scientific and Ethical Advisory Board (SEAB) has the task of providing advice on the activities of the GBN and supports the Steering Committee in strategic issues relating to the implementation of the work programme. The SEAB is an independent body and consists of leading international scientists and experts who perform their function independently of their organisational affiliation.
The Scientific Advisory Board is made up of the following representatives Dominic Allen, Prof Dr Christopher Baum, Dr Fay Betsou, Dr Johann Eder, Prof Dr Jens Habermann, Dr Stefanie Houwaart, Prof Kristian Hveem, Dr Morris Swertz and Prof Dr Sebastian Graf von Kielmansegg.