The concept of the national information platform of biobanks of the Russian Federation

Aim. To create the concept of the national information platform of biobanks of the Russian Federation (NIPB RF).

Material and methods. In April 2022, an expert group consisting of 17 representatives of Russian biobanks was formed in National Association of Biobanks and Biobanking Specialists to create the concept of the NIPB RF. An analysis of international practices in this area was carried out. To assess the infrastructure of Russian biobanks in terms of information support for stored biomaterial, experts formed a questionnaire consisting of several blocks of questions. The survey was conducted from April to June 2022 among representatives of Russian biobanks. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results of the survey.

Results. In total, representatives of 16 biobanks took part in the survey. The storage capacity of biobanks varies from 2000 to 800000 storage units. It is shown that the majority of biobanks (81%) use information systems for entering and storing related data. Biobanks use foreign and Russian software products (53 and 47%, respectively), while a  third develop their own information systems. We formulated the NIPB RF concept as an information system designed for consolidating, processing and using data on biosamples for the development of Russian biobanking and improving the efficiency and quality of research.

Conclusion. The creation of the NIPB RF will improve the interaction between biobanks and end users and will develop biomedicine in Russia.

1. Biobanking. National Guidelines. Ed. A. N. Meshkova, A.S. Glotova, S.V. Anisimova. National association of Biobanks and biobanking specialists. M.: Izd-vo Triumf, 2022. 308 р. il. (In Russ.) ISBN: 978-5- 93673-322-2.

2. Anisimov SV, Meshkov AN, Glotov AS, et al. National Association of Biobanks and Biobanking Specialists: New Community for Promoting Biobanking Ideas and Projects in Russia. Biopreserv Biobank. 2021;19(1):73-82. doi:10.1089/bio.2020.0049.

3. Elliott P, Peakman TC. The UK Biobank sample handling and storage protocol for the collection, processing and archiving of human blood and urine. Int J Epidemiol. 2008;37(2):234-44. doi:10.1093/ije/dym276.

4. Cho SY, Hong EJ, Nam JM, et al. Opening of the national biobank of Korea as the infrastructure of future biomedical science in Korea. Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2012;3(3):177-84. doi:10.1016/j.phrp.2012.07.004.

5. Klingler C, von Jagwitz-Biegnitz M, Hartung ML, et al. Evaluating the German Biobank Node as Coordinating Institution of the German Biobank Alliance: Engaging with Stakeholders via Survey Research. Biopreserv Biobank. 2020;18(2):64-72. doi:10.1089/bio.2019.0060.

6. Trehearne A. Genetics, lifestyle and environment. UK Biobank is an open access resource following the lives of 500,000 participants to improve the health of future generations. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2016;59(3):361-7. doi:10.1007/s00103-015-2297-0.

7. Merino-Martinez R, Norlin L, van Enckevort D, et al. Toward Global Biobank Integration by Implementation of the Minimum Information About BIobank Data Sharing (MIABIS 2.0 Core). Biopreserv Biobank. 2016;14(4):298-306. doi:10.1089/bio.2015.0070.

8. Lehmann S, Guadagni F, Moore H, et al. Standard preanalytical coding for biospecimens: review and implementation of the Sample PREanalytical Code (SPREC). Biopreserv Biobank. 2012;10(4):366-74. doi:10.1089/bio.2012.0012.