Molecular Medicine Ireland was delighted to host a Stakeholder Seminar entitled "GeneLibrary Ireland - building an all-island biobanking framework through collaboration" on May 6th at The Old Physics Theatre, Newman House. This seminar was organised to provide an overview of the vision for GeneLibrary Ireland and to promote the benefits of a structured framework for harmonised biobanking to support clinical and translational research studies on the island of Ireland.  

Invited speakers included Professors Louise Kenny and Michael Gill who highlighted the contribution of standardised biobanking and population based control samples to their own research with a particular emphasis on pregnancy (SCOPE Ireland) and neurodevelopment disorders (Autism and Schizrophenia), respectively. Professor Martin Yuille from the University of Manchester, UK presented a comprehensive overview of the developments in biobanking internationally and their contribution to the research landscape. In addition Professor Yuille highlighted the importance for Ireland to participate in the establishment of a pan-European biobanking network being developed by BBMRI.

To end the seminar Maeve O Brien from the Department of Health and Children presented an outline of the principles of the proposed Human Tissue Bill and the implications for research involving human tissue donated from living donors.

We are delighted to note the significant interest in this stakeholder seminar which was attended by a broad spectrum of stakeholders from academia, industry, patient and industry groups, healthcare professionals and funding agencies.  

To download a copy of the GeneLibrary Ireland - an all island biomedical research infrastructure Design Phase report please click here