January of 2025

On January 23, the Coordinating Node of the Biobank of the Public Health System of Andalusia (SSPA) participated, together with the Transfusion, Tissues and Cells Center of Granada, in a blood collection organized at the Zaidín Civic Center. During the day, in addition to encourage blood donation, participation in biomedical research projects was promoted.
The Biobank professionals took the opportunity to inform and invite attendees to collaborate on two research projects related to cardiovascular risk in women and the validation of metabolomic biomarkers. To contribute to these projects, attendees were invited to donate biological samples and associated data. At the same time, the functioning of the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research was explained, highlighting its importance in the advancement of research.
At the end of the day, the SSPA Biobank managed to collect 44 donations of biological samples with their corresponding data for research projects and incorporate more than 30 people into the Donor Registry, thus joining the community of donors committed to research.

The Biobank of SSPA expands its social media presence with the addition of an Instagram profile (@biobanco.sspa). Through this new platform, news, activities, donation initiatives and content of interest to the scientific community and citizens will be shared.
With this incorporation, the Biobank strengthens its communication and accessibility, adding to its already active profiles in other social media. Follow us on Instagram and join our community to stay up to date on SSPA Biobank activities!

On February 4, within the framework of the III Research Congress of the Health Sciences Technology Park (PTS) of Granada, the session entitled "The Role of Patient Associations in Health Research" was held, organized by the Biobank of the Public Health System of Andalusia (SSPA) together with the San Cecilio University Hospital of Granada, the López Neyra Institute of Parasitology, the Institute of Biosanitary Research of Granada, the PTS Foundation and the platform of Patient Associations of Granada, all members of the Granada es Salud Consortium.
The event brought together thirty-three patient associations, with a presence at the local, regional and national levels, and was attended by more than one hundred people. During the session, each association presented an informative poster with the aim of making their work known to the research community. In addition, the SSPA Biobank placed an information point, where the importance of the role of patients in biomedical research was highlighted and promoted its participation in the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research, an initiative that encourages the altruistic donation of samples and associated data for scientific advancement.
During the discussion table, which addressed the need to establish close and bi-directional collaboration between researchers and patient associations, the importance of integrating these associations into scientific projects from their initial phase, in decision-making bodies and giving them a voice when defining priority research areas. Patients, on the other hand, had the opportunity to express their needs and challenges, with particular emphasis on the lack of training on their role in research.
meeting reaffirms the commitment of all participating entities to strengthen the connection between science and society, ensuring that biomedical research advances in a manner aligned with the real needs of patients and promoting their active involvement in the process.

In its commitment to promoting citizen participation and guaranteeing equity in research, the SSPA Biobank has collaborated with the once Foundation to adapt some of its information material to the Braille language.
This material will be available in all activities organized by the Biobank, ensuring that people with visual impairment can access information and participate in biomedical research on an equal basis.

the occasion of Health Week and the International Data Protection Day, the Provincial Node of Malaga of the SSPA Biobank gave a talk at the Institute of Secondary Education (ies) Litoral.
During the session, Dr. Tatiana Díaz, representative of the Biobanco explained to the students the importance of this institution in the development of biosanitary research. Through his intervention, he brought students closer to the fundamental role that biobanks play in the conservation and management of biological samples for scientific research, as well as the relevance of data protection in this area. In addition, he presented the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research as a tool for citizen participation in research.
The activity allowed attendees to learn first-hand how the SSPA Biobank works and its impact on improving public health, arousing the interest of young people in the field of biomedical research.