Last update:
   03-Jun-2018
 

Arch Hellen Med, 35(3), May-June 2018, 358-363

REVIEW

The contribution of biobanks to health, the economy and research

A. Apostolopoulos,1 D. Thanos,2 A. Hatzakis3
1Economist,
2Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens,
3Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

Biobanks constitute centers for the collection, recording, storage and distribution of biological samples that can be used for a variety of purposes. The rapid technological advances in the field of biomedical sciences has contributed substantially to the development of biobanks in recent years. They have become a major factor, both in the diagnosis and understanding of complex diseases, and in the provision of personalized medicine. The development of a biobank network will have a positive impact not only on scientific research and the health of the population, but also on the economy. This is a review of the main categories of biobank and their fields of impact. The importance of the European Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Reseach Infastructure (BBMRI) is emphasized, and issues that may arise regarding the ownership of biological samples and data are discussed.

Key words: Biobanks, Diseases, Personalized medicine, Samples.

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