#EBW26 Live: Opening Ceremony Launches Scientific Programme 

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The scientific programme of Europe Biobank Week (EBW) Congress, jointly organised by BBMRI-ERIC (the European Research Infrastructure for Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources in Health and Life Sciences) and ESBB (the European, African and Middle Eastern Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking), kicked off at the Prague Congress Centre in Prague, Czech Republic, on 20 May 2026. 

EBW unites more than 750 biobankers, researchers, industry specialists and decision-makers from across the life sciences to discuss the latest innovative research and industry developments. 

The programme features keynotes, parallel sessions and workshops over four days, including pre-congress workshops, followed by the main congress with 104 oral presentations and 155 poster sessions. 

Prof. Jens K. Habermann, Director General of BBMRI-ERIC and Dipl.-Ing. Roland Leiminger, President of ESBB, who have led the joint organising committee, opened the congress and delivered a warm welcome to delegates. 

Mgr. Jakub Rybář, Commissioner for the Popularisation of Science and Talent Development, delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Czech Ministry. Prof. RNDr. Jiří Zima, CSc., Rector of Charles University in Prague, stated: 

“I see EBW as a key forum for discussion on the present and future of biomedical research and the management of biological data. It is an important meeting point for professionals from academic institutions, research infrastructures, technology companies and regulatory bodies. 

For us as a university, it is a unique opportunity to share the results of top research, establish international collaborations and discuss ethical, legal and technological aspects of working with biological samples. 

I strongly believe that at Charles University and in the Czech Republic we have great potential to contribute to the development of biobanking, focusing on genomic and multi-omics technologies, the analysis of big data in medicine and the use of AI in medicine, with clear benefits for all of us.” 

Prof. Jens K. Habermann and Mr Dipl.-Ing. Roland Leiminger led a tribute in the memory and legacy of Prof. Alex Felice, National Node Director of BBMRI Malta and Dr. Paul Bartels, ESBB Ambassador for South Africa. 

Prof. Habermann presented the structure, mission and vision of BBMRI-ERIC to attendees, while Mr Dipl.-Ing. Roland Leiminger provided an overview of the structure, mission and values of ESBB. They then invited Doc. Mgr. Roman Hrstka, Ph.D., National Node Director of BBMRI.cz, to the stage, who introduced the Czech biobanking network. 

Finally, Prof. Agnieszka Matera-Witkiewicz, representing ESBB, presented the ESBB working groups. The ceremony concluded with the announcement of EBW27 in Lausanne.