CSIRO, in collaboration with research and government partners, has released a report highlighting the benefits of national coordination of biobanks and cohort studies in Australia. The NCRIS health group sponsored and contributed to the development of this report and is proud to share the results of this collaboration with CSIRO.
The report, Valuation of increased coordination in Australian biobanking, discusses forms of coordination needed and estimates the annual economic benefits associated with a national platform for searching and accessing human biospecimens and data.
Five recommendations have been developed and refined alongside biobanks, biobank users, industry and government to strategically improve visibility, accessibility and harmonisation. These include:
- Conducting a comprehensive survey of biobanks and cohort studies across Australia
- Implementing a shared national discovery and access platform
- Establishing a national governance framework for human health biobanking
- Promoting a consistent quality management framework at the national level
- Establishing a national steering committee to guide coordination initiatives.
Michael Dobbie, CEO of Phenomics Australia and representative for the project’s steering committee, said biobanks are key research infrastructure for the country and national coordination is a longstanding need to maximise the use of data and accelerate lifesaving research.
“Australia has biobanks and cohort studies across all states and territories, for a wide range of diseases and conditions. They represent many years’ worth of effort from researchers, investment by research funders and trust from participants,” Professor Dobbie said.
Unlock the potential of Australia’s biobanking capabilities to accelerate lifesaving discoveries. Read the full report.
Read more at CSIRO’s website here.
