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 Biobanking Network and Latvia’s ongoing initiatives in biobank development.
The Europe Biobank Week 2026 program placed a special focus on the role of biobanks in modern research and healthcare, including precision medicine, genomic medicine, biobank quality issues, data security, patient engagement, ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, and international cooperation. The conference program featured plenary sessions, thematic sessions, workshops, poster presentations, and networking events.
Latvia’s representation at the conference included both the presentation of scientific results and active participation in the conference program. Vita Rovīte and Angelika Voronova presented the following poster presentations:
“Development of a Glioma Patients Collection at the Latvian National Biobank for Multi-Omics and Precision Medicine Studies”
“Ethical and Practical Challenges of Digital Recruitment in a Latvian National Biobank”
These presentations highlighted two essential development directions of the Latvian National Biobank: the creation of specialized patient collections for multi-omics and precision medicine research, and 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 respecting participant rights, data protection requirements, and public trust in research infrastructures.
During the conference, Vita Rovīte also chaired a session on the aspects of pediatric biobanking. This topic is particularly significant because biobanking in children’s health research demands high quality standards and a highly meticulous approach to ethics, consent, data utilization, and long-term research questions.
Participation in Europe Biobank Week 2026 provided an opportunity to strengthen the international visibility of the Latvian Biobanking Network, share Latvia’s experience, and follow current discussions in the European biobanking community. Such events foster knowledge exchange, the formation of new collaborations, and the integration of Latvian research infrastructures into international initiatives.
The Latvian Biobanking 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 advancement of public health.
The Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (from 31 May National Institute of Research and Innovation (NIRI)) 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.