March of 2025

The Biobank of the Public Health System of Andalusia (SSPA) has launched the English version of its institutional website, www.biobancosspa.com, which is accessible in the upper right corner of the home page through the icon with the British flag. With this initiative seeks to facilitate access to the platform for researchers from all over the world, promoting scientific collaboration and the exchange of knowledge.
The new English page maintains the same structure and content, both textual and graphic, as its Spanish version, allowing researchers to easily access detailed information on the services available and the procedures for requesting biological samples.
With this new resource in English, the SSPA Biobank seeks to expand its network of collaborations and facilitate access to its services to a wider audience, consolidating its mission to promote health research at the international level.

The SSPA Biobank reinforces its commitment to scientific dissemination with the launch of its institutional newsletter. This new initiative aims to keep citizens informed about news, activities and events related to the Biobank of the SSPA.!
Each month, the newsletter will collect the most relevant information on the actions taken by the SSPA Biobank.
Subscribing is easy! Just go to the following link https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/salud/biobanco/es/boletines-informativos and enter your email electronic.
Do not miss the opportunity to be up to date with the latest news from the SSPA Biobank. Sign up now!

On March 20, the College of Nurses of Granada and the Platform of Patient Associations of Granada organized the IV Meeting of Nurses and Patients at the San Rafael Hospital in Granada, an event that brought together about 200 attendees to address the importance of collaboration between nurses and patients.
One of the highlights of the day was the round table "Caring and Researching Together: Ethics and Science at the Service of the Patient", in which Dr. Juan David Rejón of the Coordinating Node of the SSPA Biobank participated as a speaker. During his speech, he presented the tools available in Andalusia to encourage participation in biomedical research through the donation of biological samples and data associates.

The Faculty of Experimental Sciences of the University of Granada (UGR) and the Official College of Biologists of Andalusia (COBA) have organised the 1st UGR Biology Week, held from 11 to 13 March. The event, which has brought together students and professionals, had as its aims to highlight the diversity of approaches offered by biology in society in addition to consolidating itself as an annual meeting point in Andalusian universities.
Among the scheduled activities, attendees had the opportunity to visit the facilities of the SSPA Biobank Coordinator Node, where they learned about the operation of a research biobank. In addition, toured the cell culture, molecular biology, and cryopreservation labs, approaching daily work in these areas.
During the conference, Biology students and experts from different sectors shared experiences and knowledge, promoting a space for learning and collaboration for the future of the profession.

On March 14, Dr. Purificación Catalina of the Coordinating Node of the Biobank of the SSPA, participated in a new edition of UniStem Day, a European event aimed at awakening interest in research in high school students. This day, focused on the study of Advanced Therapies and stem cells, seeks to inspire scientific vocations among young people.
The meeting took place at the Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Center of Genomics and Oncology Research (GENYO), where Dr. Catalina gave the talk "The role of the SSPA Biobank as a Node of the National Bank of Cell Lines". During his speech, attendees were able to learn in detail about the operation of the National Cell Lines Bank and its importance in current biomedical research.
UniStem Day is consolidated as a key platform to inspire scientific vocations and bring the world of research closer to new generations.

The SSPA Biobank and the CITIUS of Seville have organized the first course on brain and retinal organoids, using pluripotent stem cells. The course, which has combined theory and practice, took place on 27 and 28 March at CITIUS.
The theoretical day, with free access, brought together more than 100 attendees, while the practical session, with limited places, was attended by 12 selected from more than 50 applications. With a total duration of 13 hours, the course is in the process of being accredited by the Andalusian Health Quality Agency, consolidating itself as a benchmark training in this innovative field of biomedical research.

Once again, the SSPA Biobank has participated in the Congress of Students of Biosanitary Research (CEIBS), whose eleventh edition was held on March 5, 6 and 7 at the Faculty of Medicine of Granada. The event brought together students from the field of biosciences to share advances and experiences in the field of biomedicine.
During the congress, the SSPA Biobank had an information stand on the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Research, where the importance of the donation of biological samples in the development of scientific studies was highlighted. Through this initiative, attendees were sensitized to the essential role of donors in research biomedical and in improving health.
The congress is thus consolidated as a key space for training and scientific dissemination among future professionals in the biosanitary sector.

On March 10, the Coordinating Node of the SSPA Biobank and the Transfusion, Tissues and Cells Center of Granada organized a blood collection at the Faculty of Medicine of Granada. In addition to collecting and encouraging blood donation, the event sought to promote biomedical research, inviting attendees to donate biological samples and data for a study on cardiovascular risk in women. The Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research was also reported. The day was a success, achieving 31 donations for research and adding 8 new people to the donor registry.

SSPA Biobank Coordinator Node Professionals met with representatives of the Association of Relatives of Alzheimer's and Dementia Patients of Granada (ALTAAMID) to encourage their participation in biomedical research.
During the meeting, the importance of collaboration in scientific studies was highlighted and the possibility of joining the Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research was offered. Subsequently, gave an informative talk aimed at patients and families, in which the operation of the registry was explained and they were invited to be part of this initiative in favor of scientific progress.