May of 2025

The Biobank of the Public Health System of Andalusia (SSPA) has obtained ISO 20387 accreditation for its deposit, quality control and distribution of human pluripotent cell lines as a Node of the National Bank of Cell Lines (BNLC). This achievement responds to the commitment of the SSPA Biobank to continuous improvement and the provision of a quality service to the scientific community and donors, becoming the second biobank in Spain to obtain this international recognition. Accreditation also brings confidence, visibility and prestige to the Biobank, aligning it with international standards in biobanks and reinforcing quality access to essential resources for biomedical research.

Áurea Morillo García, the General Secretary of Public Health and Health R&D, visited the facilities of the SSPA Biobank Coordinator Node, located in the Health Technology Park in Granada. During his tour, he had the opportunity to get to know the facilities up close, interact with the professionals who work there and become familiar with some of the ongoing projects, such as the Sample Donor Registry for Biomedical Research. Dr. Morillo was accompanied by the manager of the Progress and Health Foundation, Gonzalo Balbontín Casillas, and the scientific director of the SSPA Biobank, José Manuel Puerta.

The SSPA Biobank has participated in the XIX International Conference on Science in the Street, Diverciencia 2025; and in the XXVII Science Fair of the Science Park of Granada. Both fairs have taken place during the month of May and have brought together numerous experts, entities and educational centers of different levels (ESO, Baccalaureate, Adult, Early Childhood and Primary Education) to share their knowledge and discoveries in various scientific disciplines. During these events, professionals from the Provincial Node of Cádiz and the Coordinating Node of the Biobank of the SSPA shared with the attendees the fundamental aspects of the donation of biological samples and their relevance in the advancement of science and medicine. In addition, they carried out various interactive scientific experiences, allowing participants to discover in a practical way how biological samples are managed and used in research studies.

The SSPA Biobank continues to work towards inclusion and equity in scientific research.They have been developed arabic-language versions of its easy-to-read Biobank and Donor Registry information brochures.
This initiative is the result of collaboration with the Friends of Morocco Association and aims to bring the message of the donation of biological samples to the group of Arabic-speaking people. With this, it is hoped that more individuals will be able to understand the relevance of their participation in research, which will enable greater equity in access to and contribution to scientific advances.
Interested parties can consult and download these new documents directly from the Biobank's website, in the documentation section: https://www.sspa.juntadeandalucia.es/salud/biobanco/es/documentacion.

Professionals from the SSPA Biobank Coordinating Node have attended and actively participated in the ‘Europe Biobank Week Congress’, one of the most relevant international meetings in the field of biobanks, which took place in Bologna from 13 to 16 May. Our colleague Rocío Aguilar Quesada moderated, together with Christine Joye, the round table entitled "Clinical biobanks: Bridging research and patient care". The session addressed the key role of clinical biobanks as a nexus between scientific research and patient care.

During the month of May, representatives of the INNODIA Network - the main European network in type 1 diabetes research - visited the facilities of the SSPA Biobank at the Virgen Macarena University Hospital. This visit is part of the active collaboration between the Biobank and the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the hospital, which has recently joined this prestigious network.
For years, this node has supported the research projects of this hospital unit, focused on the treatment and monitoring of type 1 diabetes. Its work includes the management, processing and preservation of patient samples, as well as the design of patient collection adapted to both current needs and future strategic studies.
This is yet another example of our joint commitment to quality biomedical research.
Also during this same month, the SSPA Biobank has received a group of 16 neurologists from Brazil, within the framework of the Preceptorship training program organized by the Multiple Sclerosis Unit of the Virgen Macarena University Hospital.
The invited professionals were able to learn about the facilities of the Biobank and its key role in supporting biomedical research. During the visit, they explored the procedures for processing, storing, and managing biological samples, as well as the handling of associated clinical data.
This formative experience that takes place annually in the node, reinforces the international projection of the Biobank and its commitment to scientific excellence.

the occasion of the International Day of Action for Women's Health, held last Wednesday, May 28, professionals from the Seville Node of the Biobank of the Virgen Macarena University Hospital participated in a briefing on cardiovascular risk.
The activity, taught by researcher Inés Pineda, focused on raising awareness about this pathology and invite attendees to participate in several ongoing scientific projects. During the session, the Biobank professionals highlighted the importance of the donation of biological samples and data and promoted the registration in the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research, a tool that allows citizens to actively collaborate in the science through voluntary donation of samples and associated data.
Thanks to this awareness-raising work and the commitment of the participants, the day culminated with the incorporation of new donors to the registry.
And you, would you like to be part of a scientific project that investigates cardiovascular risk factors? If you meet the following requirements, you can contact with the biobank via email registro.donantes.csalud@juntadeandalucia.es or by calling 958 89 46 69.

Women and men who are not receiving hormone treatments (you can use contraception).

Women and men who do not suffer from registered autoimmune diseases or other serious pathologies.

People who have not been vaccinated in the last three weeks.

Those who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

The Torrecárdenas University Hospital of Almería has hosted the First Conference on Translational Innovation in Cardiovascular Risk, an event focused on scientific advances applied to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. During the day, professionals from the Almeria Node of the SSPA Biobank briefed attendees on the fundamental role of biobanks in current biomedical research. They also highlighted the importance of the donation of biological samples as an essential driver for the development of new knowledge and therapies. In addition, they have presented the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research, inviting attendees to join this initiative that allows citizens to collaborate directly with science by donating biological samples and data.

The SSPA Biobank has participated in two important scientific meetings held in May: the Congress of the National Association of Research Ethics Committees (ANCEI) held in Salamanca and the II National Congress of Genomic Medicine in Madrid.
In both events, Biobank professionals presented various communications in poster format, addressing crucial issues such as the correct completion of informed consent and the wide portfolio of services that the SSPA Biobank offers in the field of genomic medicine. These valuable contributions have not only made visible the important work carried out by the SSPA Biobank, but also reaffirms its firm commitment to scientific excellence and ethics in biomedical research.

Professionals from the Jaén Node of the SSPA Biobank recently visited the facilities of the Sagrada Familia Secondary School (Safa) in Andújar (Jaén). There, they gave an informative talk to students of the Technical Cycle of Auxiliary Nursing Care (TCAE).
During the meeting, the experts explained to the students what a research biobank and how they can participate in research projects through the donation of biological samples and data. To make the information more accessible and practical, they were taught how to enroll in the biobank's biomedical research sample donor registry through the website: www.soydonanteparainvestigacion.es.
This initiative seeks to increase the sensitivity of students by donating samples for research and bring the world of biomedical research closer to future generations, highlighting the importance of their contribution to scientific advancement.

The SSPA Biobank has maintained a meeting with the president and vice-president of the Platform of Patient Associations of Granada, with the aim of presenting the Expression of Interest for a future collaboration between both entities.
During the meeting, José Manuel Puerta, Scientific Director of the Biobank, detailed the origin and operation of this collaboration proposal, and invited formally to the platform to join the initiative. For their part, the representatives of the platform have expressed great interest in establishing this alliance, exposing various lines in which such cooperation could materialize.
The meeting concluded with a visit to the facilities that the Biobank Coordinator Node has at the Biomedical Research Center, located in the Health Sciences Technology Park. This opportunity has allowed them to learn first-hand about the work and resources available in the Biobank.

On May 27, professionals from the SSPA Biobank Coordinating Node held a meeting at the San Cecilio University Hospital in Granada with members of the Grenadian als Association (AGRAELA).
During the session, the operation of the biobank, the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Research, was presented Biomedical and the proposal for the expression of collaboration between both entities. The informative talk opened a space for dialogue on the importance of donating samples and clinical data to advance knowledge and treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (als). In addition, this group was informed of the campaign currently being carried out by the Biobank of the SSPA for the strategic collection of samples from people with neurological diseases.
As a result, several individuals affected by als and their family members expressed their commitment to science by enrolling in the Donor Registry.

The SSPA Biobank attended the commemorative day of World Multiple Sclerosis Day organized by the Grenadian Multiple Sclerosis Association (AGDEM).
During the day, the Spanish Multiple Sclerosis Network (https://reem.es/) was presented, a crucial initiative for the advancement of research on this disease, where the coordinator of the Biobank Node of the SSPA of the Virgen Macarena University Hospital of Seville participates.
AGDEM is a collaborating association of the Biobank and plays a fundamental role in the dissemination and dissemination of the Donor Registry among the associative movement, demonstrating its commitment to science and support for research. presence of the Biobank on this day underlines the importance of collaboration between both entities to promote awareness of this disease.