#EBW25 Live: Opening ceremony launches scientific programme
The Europe Biobank Week (EBW) Congress jointly organised between BBMRI-ERIC (the European Research Infrastructure for Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources in Health and Life Science) and ESBB (the European, African and Middle Eastern Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking) kicked off at Palazzo dei Congressi in Bologna, Italy on 14 May 2025.
EBW unites over 800 biobankers, researchers, industry specialists and decision makers from across the life sciences to discuss the latest innovative research and industry changes.
It features keynotes, parallel sessions and workshops and is held over four days with pre-congress workshops and then the main action featuring 99 oral and 137 poster presentations.
Prof. Jens K. Habermann, Director General BBMRI-ERIC and Dipl.-Ing. Roland Leiminger, President ESBB who have led the joint organising committee opened the congress.
Prof. Marialuisa Lavitrano, National Node Director of BBMRI Italy, delivered the Welcome Address on behalf of the Italian Minister of University and Research, Prof. Anna Maria Bernini:
“It is a privilege and a profound honor to extend, on behalf of the Italian Government and the Ministry of University and Research, the warmest welcome to all participants of the Europe Biobank Week Congress, convened in the city of Bologna.
This Congress presents a unique opportunity to engage in thoughtful dialogue on the scientific, regulatory, technological, and ethical dimensions of biobanking.
The Italian Ministry of University and Research strongly supports the principles that guide this Congress: scientific excellence, ethical integrity, international collaboration, and the responsible sharing of knowledge. These values underpin our national research policies and reflect our commitment to contributing meaningfully to the European and global research landscapes.
At the Ministry of University and Research, we believe that science knows no borders. That is why we actively support international cooperation, open science, open data sharing, and interdisciplinary research—principles that are at the very heart of this Congress.”
Gian Carlo Muzzarelli, President of Emilia-Romagna Region’s Health Commission:
“It is a great honor to host EB25 in our region. A heartfelt welcome to everyone to the land of taste and passion, creativity, and beauty. Whether for leisure tourism or for equally important business tourism, this is a crucial moment for the entire community of Italian and European biobanks.
We aim to strengthen and intensify future collaborations, and to gain a closer understanding of the complex reality of biobanking and research, from ethical and legal aspects to scientific research and environmental sustainability.
We are fully aware of the role of biobanks. Through targeted and synergistic actions, we are ready to do our part together with the Ministry and all the stakeholders involved. I wish you all the best in your work.”
Simona Tondelli, Deputy Rector of the University of Bologna, highlighted the University’s dedication to leading-edge research and maximising its societal impact. She extended thanks to BBMRI and ESBB for organising the event and sincere gratitude to Professor Marialuisa Lavitrano for her leadership in fostering a strong research culture in Italy.
The opening ceremony also marked the beginning of the partnership between BBMRI-ERIC and ICSC – the Italian Research Center on High-Performance Computing, Big Data, and Quantum Computing – both selected as Nodes of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). During the ceremony, Prof. Jens K. Habermann, Director General of BBMRI-ERIC, and Prof. Antonio Zoccoli, President of ICSC, signed a memorandum of understanding.
Prof. Jens K. Habermann presented the structure, mission, and vision of BBMRI-ERIC to the attendees, while Dipl.-Ing. Roland Leiminger provided an overview of the structure, mission, and values of ESBB. Prof. Maria Luisa Lavitrano then took the stage to present BBMRI.it, highlighting its community, future perspectives, and training initiatives. Finally, Valentina Colcelli, as a member of ESBB, presented the ESBB working groups.
The opening ceremony ended with a Q&A session.