July 2026

The Biobank of the Public Health System of Andalusia (SSPA) has actively participated in the fifth edition of the State Congress of Students of Biosciences (CEEB), held in Grenada during the month of July, reaffirming its commitment to training, scientific dissemination and the promotion of research vocations among the new generations.

Within the framework of the congress, the SSPA Biobank gave two micro-courses aimed at attendees. The first consisted of a guided tour of the Biobank Coordinator Node, where students learned about the operation of this scientific-technical infrastructure and the fundamental role it plays in promoting biomedical research.

The second micro-course, of a practical and participatory nature, was the biomedical Escape Room "Bio Code: Hospital Mission", an activity designed to bring together, in a dynamic way, concepts related to research, biosecurity and public health. The initiative was organized in collaboration with IAVANTE of the Progress and Health Foundation, the Service of Preventive Medicine and Public Health of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital and the General Directorate of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Planning, and was developed in the facilities of the IAVANTE Advanced Clinical Simulation Center. You can consult all the information about this activity here.

Likewise, the SSPA Biobank was present at the forum of companies and entities with an information stand, where it offered information on the importance of sample donation and associated data for the advancement of biomedical research. During the day, attendees were also encouraged to be part of the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research, a key initiative to facilitate the development of scientific projects.

The SSPA Biobank continues to focus on specialized training with the organization of two new activities aimed at professionals and researchers, which will be held during the months of September and October.

The first of these will be the 5th edition of the workshop "Ethical and legal aspects of the management and use of human biological samples in research projects", organized jointly with the Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC). The activity will take place on September 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in person in the IMIBIC assembly hall.

Registration is free and places are limited until full capacity is reached. The workshop has 0.4 credits accredited by the Andalusian Health Quality Agency (ACSA). The registration period is already open and can be formalized through IMIBIC enabled form. Access the program at: Biobank Website

For its part, the 5th edition of the webinar "SSPA Biobank in the field clinic", an online training activity, free of charge and lasting two hours (from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), aimed mainly at professionals of the Public Health System of Andalusia.

The webinar has 500 seats and ACSA accreditation is requested. Interested individuals can reserve their spot by emailing biobanco.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es. All the information about this activity will be available on the Biobank website soon.

The SSPA Biobank and the Official College of Nursing of Granada (CODEGRA) have signed a collaboration agreement with the aim of developing joint activities and initiatives that contribute to promotion of biomedical research and the promotion of the donation of biological samples and data for research.

The document provides an overview of the activity carried out throughout the year, highlighting the main results achieved in the collection and management of biological samples and associated data, the provision of research support services, the training activities, participation in scientific congresses and the scientific production generated.

This agreement will strengthen the dissemination of the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research and raise awareness of the services provided by the SSPA Biobank among nursing professionals, favouring greater involvement of this group in the development of health research.

Likewise, the agreement will facilitate the participation of professionals linked to CODEGRA in research projects, prospective collection circuits of biological samples and associated data, as well as in training activities related to research methodology and the operation of biobanks.

will be valid for four years and consolidates a collaboration that had already been developing since the beginning of 2026. As a result of this joint work, the SSPA Biobank has participated in a training day on cognitive diseases organized by the Patient School of the Official College of Nursing of Granada.

With this alliance, both institutions reaffirm their commitment with the promotion of biomedical research, the training of health professionals and the promotion of the donation of biological samples and data as an essential element to advance scientific knowledge and improve the health of citizens.

The European, Middle Eastern spanish, an initiative that was born with the aim of strengthening collaboration between professionals and biobanks in Spanish-speaking countries, promoting the exchange of knowledge, experiences and good practices in the field of biobanks.

The SSPA Biobank will play a leading role in this new working group through Rocío Aguilar Quesada, Technical Manager of the SSPA Biobank and advisor to the ESBB, who will serve as one of the coordinators of the Working Group.

The group's kick-off meeting took place on 15 July and was attended by ESBB President Roland Leiminger and Vice President Agnieszka Matera-Witkiewicz, who welcomed the attendees and highlighted the importance of this new initiative to strengthen international cooperation within the scientific society.

During the session, the work plan that will serve as a roadmap for the new stage was presented, as well as the planning of periodic meetings that will begin to be held from September. These meetings will constitute a stable space to share experiences, identify collaboration opportunities and promote joint initiatives among group members.

The SSPA Biobank is much more than a place where biological samples are kept. It is an infrastructure to support the biomedical research that works every day to facilitate the development of scientific projects that contribute to improving people's health.

Through its portfolio of services, the Biobank makes available to researchers and professionals a wide range of resources that include the collection, processing, conservation and distribution of biological samples and data partners, as well as scientific-technical advice, specialised training and other research support services.

If you want to know everything that the Biobank can offer, you can consult the portfolio of services available on the SSPA Biobank website, where you will find detailed information about each of them and how to access these resources.

But research does not only need professionals: it also needs the collaboration of citizens. Therefore, the Biobank invites all interested people to be part of the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research, an initiative that allows donate biological samples and associated data to contribute to the advancement of science and the development of new strategies for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

The SSPA Biobank continues to promote citizen participation in research through two biological sample and data collection campaigns, focused on the neurological diseases and cardiovascular risk factors. Both initiatives have as an objective to generate high quality sample collections that contribute to the development of new scientific advances in these areas of great impact for health.

People interested in collaborating can get more information by calling 958 89 46 69, emailing registro.donantes.csalud@juntadeandalucia.es or by directly accessing the website www.soydonanteparainvestigacion.es