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SURVEY ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF AFRICAN BIOBANKS AND THEIR IMPACT ON RESEARCH

Rational and outline of the pan African survey on Biobanking.


The proliferation of biobanks worldwide holds great promise for advancing both basic and translational research, ultimately leading to the development of novel treatments and disease prevention strategies. Biobanks grant researchers access to a diverse array of heterogeneous samples and data, thus streamlining research efforts and minimizing the time and resources required for collection, storage, and maintenance. To achieve this, several prerequisites must be met. One important consideration is the need for broad access, which raises ethical concerns regarding privacy and confidentiality. Additionally, fair, and equitable access must be ensured to enable ethical, efficient, and sustainable use of these samples and data in Africa. This can be achieved through scientific collaborations such as the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) initiative.
In recent years, the biobanking landscape in Africa has experienced substantial growth and development, with numerous biorepositories established across various countries. The implementation of biobanking guidelines in some regions has notably enhanced regulatory oversight and management practices, signaling a promising future for the biobanking sector in Africa.
Despite these advancements, significant challenges and opportunities remain. Building upon existing knowledge, our goal is to conduct a comprehensive pan-African survey to assess the current state of biobanking in Africa. By identifying progress, challenges, and risks, we aim to provide insights that will inform the development of targeted solutions to support the African biobanking community. Additionally, we seek to identify career opportunities for African researchers in the biobanking sector.
In conclusion, we aspire to gain a comprehensive understanding of the African biobanking landscape, facilitating the development of strategies to address existing challenges and leverage opportunities for advancement. By fostering collaboration and innovation, we aim to contribute to the sustainable growth of biobanking in Africa and enhance its impact on research and healthcare.

1.What is the name and location (country) of the biobank?
2.How many years has your biobank been in existence?
3.What type of biobank is it (select all that apply)?(Required.)
4.In which setting is the biobank located (select all that apply)?(Required.)
5.What are the general types of specimens stored in your biobank? (select all that apply)(Required.)
6.How is the biobank funded (estimated %)?
7.What activities are carried out in the biobank? (select all that apply):(Required.)
8.How many people and full-time equivalents (FTEs) work in the biobank?
9.Have the staff received training in biobanking?(Required.)
10.How would you rate the exposure and visibility of the biobank in a range of 1 to 5; 1 being poor, 5 being excellent?
11.Is the biobank part of any biobanking societies and/or networks?(Required.)
12.How has being part of the biobanking society (if yes) helped the biobank in achieving its goals? please explain
13.Does the biobank have any external collaborations and partnerships?(Required.)
14.Are there any policies and/or guidelines about biobanking governance in your country?(Required.)
15.Is the biobank certified or accredited?(Required.)
16.Does the biobank follow any Best practices (e.g., ISBER, GCP, IACUC,ISO 9001, and ISO 20387)(Required.)
17.Does the biobank follow any other national and international standards and/or guidelines on research?(Required.)
18.What is the standard procedure for the biobank to acquire samples? Please describe the process in detail
19.How do researchers access the samples? Please describe the process in detail
20.Are there any restrictions on accessing samples?(Required.)
21.Is the country in which the biobank is located part of the Nagoya protocol?(Required.)
22.Does the biobank have and maintain a Quality Management System (QMS) that describes the biobank's commitment to its Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) activities?(Required.)
23.Does each specimen received at the biobank receive a unique identification number (i.e., a specimen ID)?(Required.)
24.Are labels handwritten or computer-generated?(Required.)
25.Are there National Data Policies concerning the protection and usage of data obtained during sample collection?(Required.)
26.Has the biobank implemented an organized informed consent process?

(Required.)
27.Which are the most relevant African specific strengths and opportunities facing the biobanking community?
28.Which are the most relevant African specific challenges and risks facing the biobanking community?
29.How would you describe the current career opportunities for biobankers in Africa?
30.Other comments
31.To contact you in the future you may include your email here:
Current Progress,
0 of 31 answered