Sample Locator
The Sample Locator(samplelocator.bbmri.de) enables scientists to search for human biosamples and associated data in academic biobanks, predominantly in Germany. The online search tool was developed by an interdisciplinary team of developers from the German Biobank Network (GBN). It is based on earlier work by the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) and the Common Service IT of BBMRI-ERIC. The source code is available here. The implementation guide describes how to connect a biobank to the Sample Locator and which requirements must be met. It also contains step-by-step instructions.
The Sample Locator
In the video, GBN Board Member Dr Gabriele Anton and Head of IT Prof Dr Martin Lablans from the DKFZ Heidelberg highlight the added value of the tool, which has also been used as a "locator" by the European biobank network BBMRI-ERIC since 2024.
Feasibility enquiry
The first stage of the search for biosamples and data is a freely accessible feasibility enquiry. The result in the Sample Locator shows how many samples with the requested search criteria are available in the biobanks. Only after registration (an institutional e-mail address and the account password are sufficient if the institution in question is listed by the German Research Network (DFN) -(instructions for registration can be found here) do users find out at which locations how many samples from how many donors are available.
Request samples
To request samples, users register via their institutional email account (DFN) or via LifeScience Hostel (more information on the registration process here). They then select the desired biobanks and are automatically forwarded from the Sample Locator to the Negotiator. The Negotiator is a communication platform that allows requesting researchers to effectively communicate with multiple biobanks simultaneously, while the biobanks can provide information about sample/data availability confidentially.
Sample Locator registration guide and FAQ