June 2026

Professionals from the Cadiz Provincial Node of the Biobank of the Public Health System of Andalusia (SSPA), in collaboration with the Research Institute e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA) and the Descbre Foundation have launched the first "Café con Ciencia" of a cycle of informative meetings that will take place throughout this year.

The first session, held at the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy of the University of Cadiz, brought together more than a dozen participants, including health professionals and citizens interested in learning first-hand about the role of biobanks in promoting biomedical research.

During the meeting, the importance of biobanks as research support infrastructures was addressed, as well as the fundamental role played by the altruistic donation of biological samples for the development of new scientific projects. The initiative went very well welcomed by the attendees, consolidating itself as a space for dialogue and rapprochement between science and society.

The next coffee will be held in October so people interested in participating, either individually or through associations and other groups, can request more information by writing to biobancosspa.cadiz.fps@juntadeandalucia.es or paula.castro@inibica.eu.

You can consult all the information about this initiative here

The Activity Report 2025 of the SSPA Biobank Research Area is now available on the website.

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 support services to research, training activities, participation in scientific congresses and the scientific production generated.

Likewise, the report includes the dissemination and awareness initiatives aimed at bringing the activity of the Biobank closer to society, summarizes the evolution of the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research (REDMI) and incorporates the main improvements implemented in the Biobank's information system, nSIBAI.

The complete report can be consulted through the following link.

During the month of June, the SSPA Biobank has continued to strengthen its collaboration with patient associations to promote the donation of biological samples for biomedical research.

In this context, professionals from the Coordinating Node held a meeting with ALPOGRA, the Association of Relatives and Patients of Alzheimer's and Other Dementias of Western Granada, in which the activity of the Biobank and the fundamental role played by the donation of samples in the advancement of the research. Likewise, different ways of collaboration were explored to bring the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research (REDMI) to patients and family members linked to the association.

During the meeting, the Neurological Tissue Bank of the SSPA Biobank, located in the Provincial Node of Córdoba, was also announced, as well such as the strategic campaign to collect biological samples and data from people with neurological diseases, an initiative aimed at boosting research in this area
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Moreover, the SSPA Biobank held a coordination meeting with the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases (Feder) to plan the next joint actions. Among the actions agreed upon highlights the publication of a news about REDMI in the monthly newsletter of the Federation. In addition, both entities are evaluating the organization of an informative webinar aimed at associations and people linked to ERDF with the aim of publicizing the activity of the Biobank and encouraging participation in biomedical research.

If you are part of a Patient Association or scientific collective and you want to collaborate with the Biobank, just contact the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research through the email registro.donantes.csalud@juntadeandalucia.com or by phone at 958 894669.

El Biobanco of the SSPA attended, as an entity invited by the Official College of Nursing of Granada (CODEGRA), the XII Gala of the Nursing Awards of Granada, held on June 12. Participation in this event is part of the collaboration that both institutions maintain to promote joint initiatives to promote biomedical research and raise awareness of the importance of donating samples for research.

The gala brought together professionals, institutions and entities from the health field of the province to recognize the excellence, innovation and commitment of the nursing profession. During the event, the Granada Nursing Awards were presented, with which CODEGRA distinguishes the trajectory and initiatives that contribute to advancing care, research, and improving health care.

During the month of June, the Coordinating Node of the SSPA Biobank was visited by students from the Huarte de Linares Secondary School (Jaén), within the framework of the open days program. During the tour, students learned about the facilities of the Biobank, its role as an infrastructure to support biomedical research and the operation of the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research, highlighting the importance of sample donation for the advancement of science.

Likewise, the Provincial Node of Córdoba of the SSPA Biobank participated, during the month of April, in the program of visits organized by the Maimónides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), receiving approximately 50 students from ies Ángel de Saavedra and ies Vicente Núñez de Córdoba. During the visit, the students were able to learn about the activity of the Biobank and the Neurological Tissue Bank.

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

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

Representatives of the Provincial Node of Malaga of the SSPA Biobank have participated in the XII Congress of the National Association of Research Ethics Committees (ANCEI), held from June 3 to 5 in Bilbao.

The meeting, organized by the National Association of Research Ethics Committees and the University of the Basque Country under the motto "Science, ethics and citizenship: the commitment of research ethics committees", brought together professionals from the scientific, clinical and regulatory fields to address the main ethical challenges related to biomedical research.

Within the framework of the congress, the representatives of the SSPA Biobank presented the communication "Bioethics in action: Biomedical research and the role of the patient", which highlighted the importance of promoting the active participation of citizens and patients in biomedical research, always from an ethical perspective and respect for their rights.