A Window into Australasian Biobanking – Showcasing Innovation, Highlighting Conservation and Embracing Diversity

Biobanking research and biospecimen science are rapidly expanding fields in Australasia, a region known for notable and sustained contributions to the global research community. Due to the geography, natural ecosystems, multicultural populations and the rich indigenous histories of the region, Australasian nations can provide unique perspectives on key issues relevant to the global biobanking community.

The Australasian Biospecimen Network Association (ABNA) has made a concerted effort to engage and support the growth of biobanking within Australasia, with particular emphasis on raising the profile of emerging biobanks in areas of growing priority. With a commitment to fostering growth and innovation, ABNA continues to inspire a culture of biobanking research and biospecimen science among early career biobankers. This approach ensures the longevity of crucial biobanking infrastructure for future generations.  

As ISBER marks 10 years of affiliate collaboration with Australasian Biobankers and prepares to welcome ISBER delegates to Australian shores for the 2024 annual meeting, Biopreservation and Biobanking is planning a special issue intending to showcase the truly unique and innovative work within the region. Celebrating diversity and individuality, the issue will highlight novel approaches to challenges of relevance for regional stakeholders as well as the global research community. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Environmental and conservation biobanking including work on endangered and extinct species, responses to climate change and environmental destruction
• Projects emphasizing the protection of biodiversity in the Australasian landscape
• Exploring collaborations with indigenous populations and models of indigenous consent for sample collection
• Programs focusing on areas of social, ethical and legal priority such as those developed to repatriate or return indigenous samples collected without consent
• Research exploring inclusive strategies for engagement, addressing the heterogeneity of populations, or implementing biobanking protocols in marginalized or vulnerable groups that have been previously excluded from participation will also be highly regarded

Biobank profile papers that simply describe a biobank, it’s holdings and/or distribution efforts and are not supported by in-depth research data or findings that are more broadly applicable to other biobanks are not generally deemed acceptable for publication in the journal and will be referred elsewhere.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact the guest editor Cassandra Griffin to discuss their plans further prior to submission.

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Special Issue: A Window Into Australasian Biobanking

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