Join the Network

Providers from all over the world are invited to make their genomic samples (tissues, DNA, environmental samples, cell cultures etc) and data available regardless of whether the focus is on a narrow or wide geographic area, a particular taxonomic group or an entire kingdom.

The web portal is now established and open for the integration of collections worldwide.

Member Benefits

• Technical support for genomic collection standardization and discoverability
• Bi-annual usage and reporting statistics on collections made discoverable through GGBN
• Active participation in GGBN governance and decision-making processes
• Eligibility to funding opportunities through GGBN awards programs and for fundraising support
• Specialized access to biodiversity biobanking resources, such as webinars, forums, and workshops, along with access to other network members

Based on direct benefits received, GGBN members will receive the following indirect benefits:

• Raised Institutional Member Profile. Increases institutional credibility by participating in a network of leading institutions that share focuses on transparency and compliance with legal measures and sets the global standard for biodiversity biobanking.
• Greater Visibility and Impact. Increases sample discoverability, driving added value, use and relevance of your genetic collection.
• Sharing Best Practices. Facilitates management and stewardship of genetic and other molecular samples and their derivatives, at the institutional level.
• Knowledge Exchange. Provides training and access to the document library and other resources. Enables networking with potential collaborators through conferences, workshops, and working groups.
• Strategic Relationships. Facilitates collections growth by networking with the research community. Access to expertise in biobanking, collections, and data discoverability through GGBN’s partners, such as Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF), Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), European, Middle Eastern and African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking (ESBB), International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC), and International Society for Biological and Environmental Biorepositories (ISBER).

Partner Benefits

• Strategic partner alliances with GGBN to facilitate collaboration on activities related to biodiversity biobanking of genomic samples for research
• Access to GGBN’s newsletter and other GGBN communications
• Access to letters of support and promotional opportunities from GGBN, including observer logos posted on GGBN’s website

Requirements

• DNA and tissue collections preferably from scientific collections or biological resource centres with molecular laboratory units.
• Accordance and legal compliance with international species protection and trade conventions such as CBD or CITES as well as national conservation law is implicit.
• A minimum of 500 tissue or DNA samples per provider have to be made available. The same applies for tissues or specimens for on-demand DNA extraction.
• Most of all offered samples should be available when the database of the new partner is made accessible. Further samples can be blocked for up to two years or longer.

Process of Participation

Step 1. Contact Us

Step 2. IT requirements and metadata for DNA sample database have to be implemented by all partners. Support will be provided by GGBN.

Step 3. The tissue and DNA sample database of the new provider will be indexed.

Step 4. Tissue and DNA samples are searchable and can be ordered via the web portal.