Biobankar

Biobankar is a term used in several languages to denote a biobank, a facility or organization that collects, preserves, and distributes biological samples and related data for biomedical research and clinical use. A biobankar coordinates standardized collection, processing, storage, and retrieval of specimens, and maintains associated metadata to support reproducible research and data sharing.

Typical samples include blood, plasma, serum, tissue, DNA, RNA, cells, and other biospecimens. Many biobank operations also store digital datasets derived from samples, such as genomic sequences or proteomic profiles, and integrate with clinical or health data systems to enrich research resources.

Ethical and legal considerations are central. Informed consent, donor privacy, governance structures, and access policies guide how samples and data may be used. International guidelines from organizations such as ISBER and OECD, as well as quality standards like ISO 20387, help ensure responsible operation and interoperability.

Biobanks support a wide range of activities, including population health studies, precision medicine, pharmacogenomics, and translational research. They enable large-scale analyses and collaborative projects while seeking to protect participant rights and data security.

See also: biobank, biobanking, biospecimen, ISO 20387, ISBER, OECD guidelines.