Yesterday, 13 January, Vita Rovīte, Head of the Latvian National Biobank Network, visited the European Parliament, where she met with Member of the European Parliament Inese Vaidere to discuss current issues related to the work of the European Parliament.

During the meeting, Ms Vaidere shared her experience in developing key European Union legislative acts aimed at strengthening Europe’s independence from Russian energy resources, and provided updates on the activities of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). The discussions also addressed opportunities for Latvian science within the European Research Area and participation in European research programmes.

In turn, Vita Rovīte briefed MEP Inese Vaidere on the progress of the Biobanks Law in Latvia, the fundamental principles of biobank operations, and their significant role in advancing science and improving healthcare.

We would like to thank Ms Vaidere for the warm welcome and look forward to welcoming her to the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, where we will be pleased to introduce her in person to the Latvian National Biobank – the Genome Database of the Latvian Population.

The Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre are the coordinator of the BBMRI-Latvia national biobank network, which implements the BBMRI-ERIC Latvian National Partnership Plan. This activity contributes to the achievement of performance indicators within 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”, co-financed by the European Union.