May 2026

The Biobank of the Public Health System of Andalusia (SSPA) has participated during the month of May in the XX International Conference on Science in the Street, Diverciencia 2026; at the XIV Science Fair of Jerez and the XXVIII Science Fair of the Science Park of Granada. These fairs have brought together numerous experts, entities and educational centers of different levels (Infant, Primary, ESO and Baccalaureate) to share knowledge and discoveries in various scientific disciplines. During these events, professionals from the Provincial Node of Cádiz and the Coordinating Node of the SSPA Biobank 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, through hands-on and interactive activities, attendees were able to observe cells and tissues under the microscope and discover how blood samples are processed and stored in the Biobank.

On May 24, Granada hosted the IV Race-March against Cancer, organized by the Spanish Association Against Cancer, a solidarity event that brought together about 6,000 participants. The tour had its departure and arrival on the Avenida de la Ciencia, in front of the Parque de las Ciencias de Andalucía, in an atmosphere marked by commitment citizen with the fight against this disease.

During the day, a team of professionals from the SSPA Biobank have been informing participants and citizens who were approaching in the vicinity of Parque Tico Medina about the importance of donating samples for research and how they can participate in biomedical research through the href="https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/salud/biobanco/es/un-banco-para-donar/donar-al-REDMI/registro-donantes"> Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research (REDMI). At the end of the day, more than 30 people formalized their registration in the Donor Registry, thus showing their commitment to the promotion of biomedical research and the advancement of knowledge scientist.

The SSPA Biobank attended the commemorative day of World Multiple Sclerosis Day organized by the Grenadian Multiple Sclerosis Association (AGDEM), a meeting that brought together affected people, family members, professionals and entities committed to this disease.

During the day, the balance of activities was presented developed by the association throughout 2025. Among them, the visit made by AGDEM members to the facilities of the SSPA Biobank Coordinator Node stood out, an initiative that allowed to know first-hand the work carried out by the entity in support of biomedical research. Likewise, the participation of the association in the events organized with reason for the 10th Anniversary of REDMI.

The commemorative activities also included participation in the XXVI Scientific and Informative Conference on Multiple Sclerosis, organized by the Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Associations of Andalusia (FEDEMA) on May 26. María Isabel García, technical director of the Seville Node of the Biobank of the SSPA at the Virgen Macarena University Hospital in Seville and member of the Spanish Multiple Sclerosis Network. The full day can be consulted at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/WdN7buqXvoM

During the month of May, the SSPA Biobank Coordinator node was visited by more than 35 students from the universities of Colorado and Florida, as part of the "Studies in Spain" program in which the University of Granada participates. During the visit, they had the opportunity to learn about the operation of the biobank, explore its facilities and participate in a practical class on the management of biological samples using the Biobank's information system.

On May 28, part of the team of the Provincial Node of Jaén of the Biobank of the SSPA of the University Hospital of Jaén, participated in the XI Multidisciplinary Meeting of Thoracic Tumors, held at the Official College of Physicians of Jaén.

During the day, the director of the node, Rafael J. Luque, addressed the ethical and administrative aspects that should be taken into account before submitting a research project, with particular emphasis on the role of Research Ethics Committees.

For her part, María Robles, technician of the SSPA Biobank, presented the resources and services that the Biobank makes available to the research community to facilitate the development of biomedical research projects. Likewise, unveiled the Sample Donor Registry for Biomedical Research as a tool that promotes access to biological samples and associated data necessary to boost research.

Node Professionals Coordinator and the Provincial Node of Malaga of the SSPA Biobank have attended and actively participated in the "Europe Biobank Week Congress", one of the international reference meetings in the field of biobanks, held in Prague from 19 to 22 May.

Within the framework of the congress, Rocío Aguilar Quesada has moderated, together with Giedrė kvedaravičienė, the round table "Biobanks as local hubs: Interfaces and facilitators". During the session, the role of biobanks as key local nodes for biomedical research was analysed, highlighting their role as intermediaries between researchers, health professionals and society. Likewise, aspects related to data exchange, access to biological samples and the establishment of scientific collaborations, and different European experiences aimed at strengthening the impact of biobanks on translational research and innovation ecosystems were also presented.

On the other hand, Ana María Sánchez, participated as an evaluator in one of the scientific communications sessions in poster format of the congress, contributing to the review process and evaluation of the submitted works.

In addition, the biobank team presented five communications in poster format in which aspects related to improving the activity of biobanks were addressed. Among them, they highlighted new strategies to improve the conservation and management of biological samples, strengthening the response capacity of biobanks to crisis situations, the development of innovative alternatives for the processing and storage of samples, the improvement of traceability through digital tools and the implementation of the ISO 20387 quality system.

The month of May has been marked by an intense activity of visits in the different nodes of the SSPA Biobank. In addition to the visit, in the Coordinating Node, of a group of students from the universities of Colorado and Florida, within the framework of the "Studies in Spain" program of the University of Granada, the coordinating node received the visit of the students of the Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria García Lorca de Churriana de la Vega within its annual program of open days.

For its part, the Provincial Node of Seville of the SSPA Biobank, located at the Virgen Macarena University Hospital, welcomed students and faculty of the University of Alabama, participants in the Public Health program of this institution. Also, a group of nursing professionals visited the facilities within the framework of the "Preceptorship of the Multiple Sclerosis Unit" program of the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, as well as representatives of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products.

These visits contribute to publicizing the activity of the SSPA Biobank and strengthening the ties of collaboration with national and international academic, health and scientific institutions.