The Latvian Biobanking Network was represented at Europe Biobank Week 2026, which took place from May 19 to 22 in Prague, Czech Republic. Europe Biobank Week is one of the most significant events in the biobanking sector in Europe, bringing together researchers, biobank experts, and representatives from healthcare, academia, and industry to discuss the latest development trends in biobanking, precision medicine, data management, quality, and ethical issues. The congress is organized by BBMRI-ERIC and ESBB.

From Latvia, the conference was attended by Vita Rovīte and Angelika Voronova from the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, as well as Signe Vēliņa from the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, representing the Latvian Biobank Network and the initiatives implemented in Latvia for the development of biobanks.

In the programme of Europe Biobank Week 2026, special attention was paid to the role of biobanks in modern research and healthcare, including precision medicine, genomic medicine, biobank quality issues, data security, patient involvement, ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, and international cooperation. The conference programme included plenary sessions, thematic sessions, workshops, poster presentations, and networking events.

The Latvian representation at the conference included both the presentation of scientific results and active participation in the conference programme. Vita Rovīte and Angelika Voronova presented poster papers: “Development of a Glioma Patients Collection at the Latvian National Biobank for Multi‑Omics and Precision Medicine Studies” and “Ethical and Practical Challenges of Digital Recruitment in a Latvian National Biobank”.

These presentations highlighted two key directions in the development of the Latvian National Biobank — the creation of specialised patient collections for multi‑omics and precision medicine research, as well as the practical and ethical challenges of digital participant recruitment. Both topics are closely linked to the ability of biobanks to provide high‑quality biological samples and associated data for research, while at the same time respecting participants’ rights, data protection requirements, and public trust in research infrastructures.

Within the framework of the conference, Vita Rovīte also chaired a session on aspects of paediatric biobanking. This topic is particularly important, as biobank operations in child health research require both high quality standards and a particularly careful approach to issues of ethics, consent, data use, and long‑term research.

Participation in Europe Biobank Week 2026 provided an opportunity to strengthen the international visibility of the Latvian Biobank Network, share Latvia’s experience, and follow current discussions within the European biobanking community. Such events promote knowledge exchange, the formation of new collaborations, and the involvement of Latvian research infrastructures in international initiatives. 

The Latvian Biobank Network continues to develop the field of biobanking in Latvia, promoting the availability of high‑quality biological samples and data for research, precision medicine, and the development of public health.

The Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre is the coordinator of the BBMRI‑Latvia national biobank network, which implements the BBMRI‑ERIC Latvia national partnership plan — one of the target performance indicators of project No. 1.1.1.5/3/24/I/006 “Development of Latvia’s research potential by strengthening the integration of the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre into European infrastructures and scientific networks”, which is co‑financed by European Union funds.

https://biomed.lu.lv/jaunumi/latvijas-biobanku-tikls-parstavets-europe-biobank-week-2026/