GGBN Conference 2025/Program

Program

Download GGBN 2025 Program and Abstract Book

Most of the presentations are now available through the GGBN Document Library as open access docs, some are available in the library only. Links are provided below. Presentations with restricted access can be located on the Document Library under the Category “GGBN Conferences,” Subcategory “GGBN 2025 Conference". Please contact library@ggbn.org to request a library account.

Day 1 – 29 September 2025

(times to be confirmed)	Excursion to Boulders Beach
18:00 - 29:00	GGBN Ice Breaker

Day 2 – 30 September 2025

08:00 - 08:45	Registration opens
08:45 - 09:00	Welcome by SANBI Management
09:00 - 09:30	Keynote Address: The Global Biodiversity Framework as a Context for Sustainable Biodiversity Biobanks in South Africa - Prof. Michelle Hamer
09:30 - 11:00	Session 2.1 Lightning Talks for Participating Biobanks Chairs - Katie Barker and Jonas Astrin This session provides participants the opportunity to share information on theirbiobanks / molecular collections, including facilities and infrastructure,interoperability, address issues related to long-term sustainability, address challenges around sample and data quality. Use cases can be presented, or experiences shared about biobank planning, repository relocation, etc. For this conference, African biobanks are particularly encouraged to introduce themselves, but of course any biobank is welcome.
	Biobanking for Biodiversity: Processes, Access, and Applications - Francinah Keneilwe Mosupye
	Coral Hospitals as Biobanking Centers: Insights from the NMMBA Model as a Strategic Response to Global Warming and Climate Change - Chiahsin Lin
	ARC-Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plant in Vitro and Seed Genebank Collections: Safeguarding Crop Diversity - Lindiwe Mokgakane
	Safeguarding citrus diversity - Elize Jooste
	Building plant repositories for biodiversity research and conservation. A case of Tooro Botanical Gardens, Uganda - Mutegeki Alislam Said Musa	PDF
	A review of biobanking activities for plant biodiversity in Rwanda - Pascal Sibomana	PDF
	Preserving Aquatic Biodiversity: The Role of the NRF-SAIAB Biobank in Addressing Conservation and Research Gaps - Seshnee Pillay
	Improving Sample Management at the NHM Biobank - Heather Avrili	PDF
	Beyond the biobank laboratory, showcasing game capture operation to acquire biological samples - Nkotasi Mnisi
	Biobank for biodiversity: The SANParks Veterinary Wildlife Biobank - Zinhle Manda
	Genomic Infrastructure for Chile: Design and Establishment of a Biobank through the 1000 Chilean Genomes Project - Juliana Vianna De Abreu
11:00 - 11:30	Tea Break
11:30 - 13:00	Session 2.2 Biodiversity Rich Regions of the World Chair - Puseletso Johnston This session will explore the complex challenges and ethical dilemmas associated with biobanking in biodiversity-rich regions, with a particular focus on Africa. As one of the most biologically diverse continents, Africa holds vast genetic resources that are vital for scientific research, conservation, and innovation in healthcare and agriculture. However, biobanking in these regions is fraught with challenges, including regulatory gaps, resource constraints, and issues surrounding access, benefit-sharing, and indigenous knowledge protection.
	Hidden Biodiversity: Zoos and Aquariums as Gateways to Conservation Science - Anna Mekarska	PDF
	Biobanking in Mexico: Current Status & Perspectives - Gilberto Ocampo
	1KSA - Decoding South Africa’s Biodiversity - Shane Murray
	Inventory and sorting of the microbial collections in the Biobank of the Institut Pasteur de Côte d'Ivoire - Kouame Ambroise Kintossou	PDF
	South African Rhizobium Culture Collection a Biobank for Future Food Biosecurity - Francina Bopape
	Saving South Africa’s Seeds: Natures Time Capsules, Preserved for Future Generations - Victoria Wilman
13:00 - 13:45	Lunch Break - Lunch Talk: Avantor - Sandra Krause
13:45 - 15:15	Session 2.3 Botanical Biobanking Chair - Anurag Dhyani As global biodiversity faces increasing threats, preserving plant genetic resources has become a critical priority. This session will focus on the essential methods for conserving plant diversity through seed banking, plant DNA and tissue banking, pollen and spore banking, cryopreservation, and the management of living collections. Experts will discuss the latest advancements in these areas, highlighting the importance of proper collection, storage, and management techniques to ensure the long-term viability of plant species. The session will also explore emerging technologies, strategies for sustainability, and the ethical considerations in plant conservation efforts.
	Plant & lichen biobanking in central Mexico - Gilberto Ocampo
	Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the State University of Campinas – Brazil - Ilio Montanari
	Characterizing Brassica biobanks and pre-breeding in B. juncea for climate resilient oilseed sustainability in India - Mahesh Rao'
	Harnessing Indian Mustard B. juncea Diversity using Integrative Omics Approach to Decipher White Rust Disease Resistance - Ashish Kumar Gupta
	Optimizing Plant Biobank Sustainability: Technical and Funding Strategies at the Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre - Marcos Castellanos-Uribe	PDF
15:15 - 15:30	Tea Break
15:30 - 17:30	Session 2.4 Special Session: Publication Chair - Jonas Astrin In this mini-session featuring a single talk we will hear, by the editor-inchief, about the Biopreservation and Biobanking (BIO) journal, about its scope and possible article types. While being the official ISBER journal, BIO is open to all kinds of publications with a biobanking and sample preservation context and is a suitable publication medium for manuscripts related to GGBN topics. Opportunities to publish content presented at the current meeting will be specifically highlighted.
	Why Publish in Biopreservation and Biobanking? - Marianna Bledsoe
	Session 2.5 Poster Seesion Chair - Katie Barker The poster session offers delegates an opportunity to engage with the breadth of research and innovation represented at the Joint Biobanks Conference. All accepted posters will be on display, showcasing work across every thematic track. Attendees are encouraged to review the posters at their own pace, interact directly with authors, and exchange ideas that spark future partnerships. This informal, highly interactive session is designed to highlight diverse perspectives, celebrate achievements, and foster networking across the biobanking community.
	GGBN General Assembly Meeting

Day 3 – 1 October 2025

09:00 - 11:00	Session 3.1 Microbial Biobanking Chairs - Anita Burger This session will focus on the biobanking of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeasts sourced from diverse and biodiverse natural environments. Presentations will delve into the purpose and significance of these microbial biobanks, the value they have provided (or aim to provide), and strategies for expanding these collections. Special attention will be given to the unique role of microbial biobanks, particularly in Africa, while addressing the sustainability challenges faced by these often underfunded and resource-limited initiatives.
	Streamlining Protocols for the Establishment of a Physical Biobank of Respiratory Viruses in the Philippines - Maria Terrese Dimamay
	'Unlocking the Microbial Frontier: The Potential Role of the IMBM Microbial Biobank in Biotechnological Innovation and Capacity Development - Marla Trindade
	African Microbial culture collections and the role that the South African National Collection of Fungi plays - Adriaana Jacobs
	The CMW and CMW-IA culture collections of FABI: A biobank focused on the future - Nicole van Vuuren
	Biobanking for Animal Health - Juanity van Emmenes	PDF
	The Virus Collection from the Fiocruz Biodiversity and Health Biobank - Manuela da Silva	PDF
	ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Yeast and Bacterial Biobank: Safeguarding Microbial Heritage for Industry and Biodiversity - Justin Hoff
	Biodiversity Biobanks SA Yeast culture collection, UFS, and More... - Adepemi Ogundeji
11:00 - 11:30	Tea Break
11:30 - 13:00	Session 3.2 Data and Database Challenges Chairs - Belen Escobari and Gabi Droege Modern biobanks, as we understand them today, represent a relatively recent concept. Their establishment in many cases faces challenges such as unknown collection histories, diverse collections requiring interaction with others, institutional development history, and outdated administrative systems. Creating an inventory of collections and migrating corresponding data from one system to another requires establishing a well-defined workflow incorporating best practices. In this section, we aim to discuss experiences encountered while working with collections and suggest potential solutions and/or workarounds to address these challenges.
	Field Collections and Data Integration: Challenges and Solutions in Modern Scientific Practice - Belen Escobari	PDF
	Evaluation of a Data Model and Workflow for Curation of Biodiversity Biobank Data at SAIAB - Willem Coetzer
	A Fine Kettle of Fish (and Invertebrates): Insights from OceanGenome Legacy’s Migration to Arctos - Hannah J. Appiah-Madson	PDF
	A Collection Database (and Much More) From the Global South - Santiago Ron	PDF
	Sustaining physical collections and biodata resources: shared challenges, reciprocal benefits, and collective value - Chuck Cook
13:00 - 13:45	Lunch Break
13:45 - 15:15	Session 3.2 Data and Database Challenges (continued) Chairs - Belen Escobari and Gabi Droege
	Insights into data standardization and enrichment on the portal level - Gabi Droege	PDF
	Open Session - Q&A
15:15 - 15:30	Tea Break
15:30 - 17:30	Session 3.3 - ABS, Loans and Shipping Chair - Heather Avrili This session will explore the legal, logistical, and ethical complexities of exchanging biological materials globally. Through real-world use cases and expert insights, participants will discuss key challenges and practical solutions related to Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), material loans, and international shipping.
	ABS in practice: Navigating the Nagoya Protocol and Digital Sequence Information - Melania Muñoz García	PDF
	How legislations from Brazil, India and South Africa affect new taxonomic descriptions - Manuela da Silva
	Guardianship or Gridlock? Rethinking Access to Biodiversity in South Africa - Kim Labuschagne	PDF
	Origin, ownership and status of Rose geranium used for essential oils - Karen Swanepeol	PDF
18:00 - 20:00	GGBN and ISBER Joint Icebreaker

Day 4 – 2 October 2025

08:00 - 09:00	Registration
09:00 - 09:30	Welcome and Getting to know ISBER
09:30 - 11:00	Session 4.1 Best Practices for Biobanking: Standards, Sustainability and Innovation Chairs - Elne Conradie, Greg Grossman and Rebecca Pugh As biobanking continues to evolve, maintaining high standards in sample collection, processing, storage, and data management is critical. This session will focus on best practices that ensure sample integrity, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability while addressing emerging technologies, ethical considerations and emergency preparedness planning.
	Establishing Biobanks of Patient Leftover Samples from Healthcare Provision in Kenya and Uganda: A Feasibility Study - Akusa Patrice Mawa
	'Sustainability by design: Governing for a Sustainable Biobanking Ecosystem - Ciara Staunton
	Handbook on Biodiversity Biobanking Practices available online - Jonas Astrin	PDF
	Lessons in Excellence and Sustainability from Building a 100,000-Sample Biobank in Africa - Jumi Popoola	PDF
11:00 - 11:30	Tea Break
11:30 - 13:00	Session 4.2 Environmental Contaminant Studies & One Health: Biobanking for a Sustainable Future Chairs - Elne Conradie, Greg Grossman and Rebecca Pugh Current and new/emerging environmental contaminants of concern impact ecosystems, wildlife, and human health, making biobanks essential tools for studying long-term effects of the environment. This session will explore how biological and environmental samples that are systematically archived can contribute to understanding pollutant exposure, antimicrobial resistance, and the broader One Health approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health.
	Cradle to Grave: Specimens from the NIST Biorepository Support a One Health Approach - Rebecca Pugh
	Introducing BBMRI-ERIC – the European Research Infrastructure for Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources in the context of One Health - Jens Haberman
	Korean Environmental Specimen Bank: Core Infrastructure for Retrospective Monitoring of Environmental Change - J Oh	PDF
	Influence of Storage Temperature on Chemical Substances in Archived Municipal Wastewater and Biosolids Samples - Sarah Gewurtz	PDF (Login required)
13:00 - 13:45	Lunch Break - Lunch Talk: Freezerworks- Katie Burkhart
13:45 - 15:15	Session 4.3 Unlocking the Power of Big Data: Data Management, Integration, and Challenges in Biobanking Chairs - Elne Conradie, Greg Grossman and Rebecca Pugh With the increasing volume and complexity of biobank data, efficient data management and integration have become critical challenges. This session will address strategies for handling big data, improving interoperability, ensuring data security, and maximizing the impact of biobank datasets in research and policy-making.
	Harnessing big data and multi-omics integration to advance biobanking for rare disease - Glen Khumalo	PDF
	Utilizing Multi-OMICS Technologies to Unravel the Molecular Mechanisms of Orphan Diseases in LMIC's - M Bramble
	Unlocking Longitudinal Child Health Insights in South Africa: A Proposal for an Integrated Clinical Data Platform - Ilse du Preez	PDF
	Toward Smarter Biobanks: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Bridge the Gap Between Biospecimen Supply and Demand - Jerome Baudry
	AI-Compliant Informed Consent Tokens: Keeping Donors Engaged through Blockchains in the Era of Biobanking 4.0 - Dan Catchpoole
	The Alligator Leather of Biobanking: Taming the Big Data Beast - Hamed Sami Abdelmoneim	PDF
15:15 - 15:30	Tea Break
15:30 - 17:30	Session 4.4 - Accreditation and Credentialing: Pathways to Standardization in Biobanking Chairs - Elne Conradie, Greg Grossman and Rebecca Pugh Standardization and harmonization of biorepository operations are essential forensuring the quality and integrity of biospecimens and associated data. Various accreditation and credentialing programs provide structured frameworks for achieving high operational standards. This session will focus on accreditation programs such as QBRS, ISO, ISBER certifications, and CTERNet, emphasizing their feasibility and implementation in the African region. Experts will discuss best practices, challenges, and strategies for achieving internationally recognized biobank certification.
	The Value of accreditation and credentialing in the Biobanking domain - Vinay Moodley	PDF
	Progress of the Biobanking Accreditation Scheme Working Group, convened under SANAS - Tumelo Ledimo
	Panel discussion and stakeholder engagement on accreditation and credentialing - Facilitators: Ciara Staunton, Marietjie Botes and members of the MBirSA steering committee
	Session 4.5 - Special Session: Publication Chair - Greg Grossman In this mini-session featuring a single talk we will hear, by the editor-inchief, about the Biopreservation and Biobanking (BIO) journal, about its scope and possible article types. While being the official ISBER journal, BIO is open to all kinds of publications with a biobanking and sample preservation context and is a suitable publication medium for manuscripts related to GGBN topics. Opportunities to publish content presented at the current meeting will be specifically highlighted.
	Why Publish in Biopreservation and Biobanking? - Marianna Bledsoe
	Session 4.5 - Poster Session: Publication Chairs - Elne Conradie, Greg Grossman and Rebecca Pugh The poster session offers delegates an opportunity to engage with the breadth of research and innovation represented at the Joint Biobanks Conference. All accepted posters will be on display, showcasing work across every thematic track. Attendees are encouraged to review the posters at their own pace, interact directly with authors, and exchange ideas that spark future partnerships. This informal, highly interactive session is designed to highlight diverse perspectives, celebrate achievements, and foster networking across the biobanking community.
18:00 - 20:00	The Value of accreditation and credentialing in the Biobanking domain - Vinay Moodley

Day 5 – 3 October 2025

09:30 - 11:00	Session 5.1 Biobanking Future Directions: Innovations and Strategic Growth Chairs - Elne Conradie, Greg Grossman and Rebecca Pugh As biobanking advances, new opportunities and challenges emerge in areas such as personalized medicine, synthetic biology, climate change resilience, and AI-driven discoveries. This session will explore the future landscape of biobanking, highlighting innovations, funding strategies, and interdisciplinary collaborations shaping the next generation of biobanks.
	Nature Based Solutions (NbS) ingetrated with Digital Solutions to Protect and conserve Agrobiodiversity in Georgia - Kakha Nadiradze
	'FIND integrated biobanks: a network model for efficiency and preparedness based on contracts - WO Fransman
	Preparing Biobanks for the AI Era: Data Structuring and Digitisation at the Breast Cancer Now Biobank - Catherine McMaster-Christie
	Medical Biorepositories of South Africa: Establishing a Medical Biorepository Network in South Africa to Advance Health - Elne Conradie	PDF
	Pan-African Biobanking Network (PABNet): Strengthening the African Biobanking Community - Sandra Nanyonga
	Building a Rare Disease Biobank: North-West University and Nngwe Collaborate to Establish a Sample and Data Repository - Leere Scott	PDF
	Beyond the Barcode: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of a Megadiverse DNA Archive - E Zakharov
11:00 - 11:30	Tea Break
11:30 - 13:00	Session 5.2 Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) for Medical Biobanks: Building Trust through Community Engagement Chairs - Elne Conradie, Greg Grossman and Rebecca Pugh Ethical, legal, and social considerations are fundamental to the responsible operation of medical biobanks. Ensuring community trust, obtaining informed consent, and navigating regulatory frameworks require a thoughtful approach. This session will examine key ethical challenges, explore best practices for engaging communities, and discuss frameworks for balancing data access with privacy protections.
	Breaking Down the Burden of Rare Diseases in South Africa: A National Point Prevalence Study Using Orphanet Methodology - Helen Malherbe
	Approaches to Participant recruitment for a South African Academic Rare Disease Biobank Outside the Hospital Setting - Albe Swanepoel and Varushka Padiachee
	The Life Time Value of Patient Engagement in Biobanking - Y Tazi and C Barnes
	Unlocking Longitudinal Child Health Insights in South Africa: A Proposal for an Integrated Clinical Data Platform - Ilse du Preez
	Stakeholder engagement/workshop session on Benefit sharing: A MBirSA statement on benefit sharing in biobanking in South Africa - Facilitated by C Staunton, M Botes and members of the MBirSA Steering Committee Benefit sharing has become a key theme in genomic research and biobanking, raising critical questions about equity, justice, and responsible practice—particularly in South Africa, where globally significant data is often generated from underrepresented communities. Despite its importance, there is little clarity on what constitutes a “benefit,” how it should be shared, or whether benefit sharing is legallypermissible under South African law. To address this gap, the Medical Biorepositories in South Africa (MBiRSA) is leading the development of a national position statement. This initiative brings together legal experts, ethicists, policymakers, researchers, and community representatives to examine the current legal framework, identify uncertainties, and propose practical guidance. The session will explore emerging perspectives and highlight how a consensus approach can foster fair, transparent, and sustainable governance of biobanks in South Africa.
13:00 - 13:45	Lunch Break
13:45 - 15:15	Session 5.3 Strategic Biobank Planning and Workforce Development: Building Sustainable and Skilled Repositories Chairs - Elne Conradie, Greg Grossman and Rebecca Pugh Establishing a successful and sustainable biobank requires a strong foundation in governance, business planning, and workforce development. This session will provide a comprehensive approach to repository planning, covering essential governance models, business strategies, and data management frameworks. Additionally, it will highlight the importance of capacity building through structured training programs, short learning courses, and micro-credentialing to equip biobank personnel with the necessary skills to maintain high operational standards.
	Transforming African Biobanks into Globally Trusted Repositories Through Certification and Strategic Capacity Building - Estelle Dogbo	PDF
	Laying the Groundwork for CGT-Ready Biobanking in South Africa - Marietjie Botes
	Cryopreservation for Type 1 Diabetes Islet Transplants - Progress Dube
	Biobank Feasibility in Africa: Findings from a Pilot Survey by the Pan-African Biobank Network (PABNet) - Sandra Nanyonga
	The ISBER Mentoring Program, a Key Resource for your Biobank - Marianne Henderson
	Educational and training need for Biobanking in LMICS: The Egyptian Experience - F Elkhwsky
15:15 - 15:30	Conference Closing - Katie Barker, Jonas Astrin, Elne Conradie, Kim Labuschagne and Mudzuli Mavhunga