Central Support Units for Biomedical Research

Biobank

The IMIBIC’s Biobank is one of the support units of the institution that works as a link between the sample donors, clinicians and researchers, with the aim to ensure safe and efficient storage and handling of the biological samples that have been approved for their use in biomedical research, and compliance with the applicable ethical and legal regulations.

The Biobank is part of the Biobanks of the Andalusian Public Health System (SSPA) and the Thematic Networks of Cooperative Research in Health (RETICS), which is an initiative of the National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). Both these networks function in a common framework based on strict ethical guidelines.

The Biobank unit has a Quality Management System in accordance with the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Standard.

Personnel

Equipment and facilities

The Unit has its own laboratory resources for sample transformations (Safety booths, PCR Booths, Microtomes, Chryostate, Flotation Bath, Centrifuge, Histobath, Automatized Processor for Paraffin Inclusion, Paraffin Dispenser, etc.) as well as other machinery such as:

• Tissue Safe: fully automated preparation of tissue samples in a vacuum.
• Tissue Arrayer: assembles different tissue samples in a single multiple matrix for subsequent histological analysis.
• Quiacube: Automatic, compact system for analysis of DNA, RNA, plasmids and proteins from varying samples.

For sample storage, there are currently two freezers: one for temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius, seven for -80 degrees Celsius, as well as paraffin storage rooms for room temperature.

Services

The service portfolio is divided into four main areas:

• Custody for storing samples at different temperatures.
• Processes for transforming multiple types of biological samples in accordance with the procedures and technical criteria commonly used by researchers in their projects.
• Provision of human samples and data on human health and disease research, selected according to clinical and diagnostic criteria specified by researchers.
• Technical, scientific and ethical consulting regarding the collection, storage, and management of human samples in biomedical research.

Biobanks and Biomodels (PLATFORMS ISCIII))

The ISCIII Biobanks and Biomodels Platform is an initiative of the Carlos III Health Institute.

The Coordination team has organised the Platform’s structure into four scientific-technological HUBS, which include: Biobanks, Organoids, Animal Models and 3D Printing. This structure makes it possible to manage and supply biological samples and associated clinical data. In the interest of promoting and incrementing scientific-technological resources in biomedical research, the PISCIIIBB’s services include organoids, animal models and 3D printing.

The ISCIII Biobanks and Biomodels Platform has joined the European Biobanking Infrastructure (BBMRI-ERIC) as an observing member, acting as the national node in BBMRI-ERIC, one of the most relevant research platforms in the European Union.

ISCIII Platform

HUB BIOBANK

The Biobank HUB of the ISCIII Biobanks and Biomodels Platform contains 57 biobanks , 23 of them are attached biobanks incorporated since the first quarter of 2022. Our composition cover the entire geography our country.

The Biobanks Hub´s purpose to improve the competitiveness of spanish biomedicals and health research, providing researchers with centralised access to collections and data associated with the samples.

Our cutting-edge also include advising on issues in the ethical and legal realm.Since november 2021, Spain, under the coordination of the ISCIII, has been an observing member of the BBMRI-ERIC European Niobanking Network in order to provide the highest level of quality and services on an international level.

Personnel

HUB ANIMAL MODELS

The ANIMAL MODEL HUB of the ISCIII Biobanks and Biomodels Platform, with 18 units spread throughout the country, offers the highest quality and cutting-edge services in the advising and execution of animal experimentation model which encompass a wide nunber species (rg Drosophila, Mus musculus and Danio rerio aming other) as well as numerous experimental techniques. Our portfolio also includes advising on issues in the thical an legal realm.

Personnel

HUB ORGANOIDS

With over twenty units with experience in the generation and characterisation of celular biomodels, the ORGANIOD HUB of the ISCIII Biobanks and Biomodels Platforms offers the highgest level and quality and cutting-edge services in the guidance, validation and production of organoids from adults stem cells and pluripotent stem cells. Our portfolio includes aplication such as organ- on- a- chip and guidance in applications like genetic editing. We also provide guidance on issues in the ethical and legal realm.

Personnel

HUB 3D PRINTING

The 3D BIOPRINTING Hub of the ISCIII Biobanks and Biomodels Platform contains 15 units spread all around our country in order to offer the highest level of cutting-edge quality and consulting services and delivery of 3D Bioprinting and printing services as well as numerous experimental techniques. Our portfolio aslo includes advising on issues in the ethical and legal realm.

3D BIOPRINTING

Personnel

Equipment

REG4LIFE BIOPRINTER (REGEMAT 3D))

• Biomaterials extrusion from -20 to 100ºC
• Thermoplastic extrusion up to 250ºC
• Biomaterials light-curing by Ultraviolet light 365nm and 405nm
• Syringes with 0.15 mm, 0.58 mm and 1.20 mm output diameters
• Real resolution in the X e Y axis (spindel movement) = 150 μm (0.15mm); Resolution in Z = 400 nm (0.4 microns). Theoretical resolution in the X and Y axis = 1.875 microns – 1875 nm
• Extrusion, bicomponent, coaxial, refrigerated, heated and high temperature syringes available
• Glass plate, Petri dish and multiwell as printing surfaces
• Automatic X, Y and Z calibration

For more information => 3D Bioprinter Technical Specifications

3D Printing

Personnel

Equipment

FDM 3D printer (2 units)

• Ultimaker S5 equipped with Air manager S5 and Material Station.

SLA 3D Printer (2 units)

• Formlabs Form 3 with Form Wash, Form Finish Kit, Resin tank and Build Platform.