#EBW26 Previews: 8C: Mastering pre-analytics: Key to reliable biobanking and biomedical research
This session highlights the pre-analytical phase of biobanking, where collection, handling and storage determine downstream success. Experts will discuss common challenges and show how precise control enhances the value of biospecimens and cellular models. Attendees will learn how optimising pre-analytics improves test performance, reproducibility and the integrity of biological data.
Speakers included in this session:
- Ronny Baber – The effect of 11 years of storage on selected biomarkers in human blood
- Olga Kofanova – From cytokines to metabolites: Decoding pre-analytical history using an NMR-based quality score for biobanks
- Alanna Maguire – Targeted red blood cell lysis enhanced PBMC isolation does not impact cell viability, distribution or functionality
- Madè Alisia – Optimizing cryopreservation methods for biobanking 3D bioprinted models
- Haozhe Yu – Optimization of Schirmer strip preservation and extraction for robust tear proteomics in eye biobanking
This session will be chaired by:
Prof. Radka Kaneva
Radka Kaneva, PhD is professor of biochemistry at Medical University of Sofia, Bulgaria and head of the Molecular Medicine Center at MU-Sofia. She is coordinator of BBMRI.bg, national representative in the special group for 1+MG at EC and member of the WG for Common and Complex Diseases in 1+MG, national PI in the Genomic data infrastructure and Genome of Europe projects. She is also a member of the board of Bulgarian Association for Personalized Medicine.
Her efforts are directed to establish the Bulgarian BBMRI node and network, to stimulate high-quality biobanking, translational research and precision medicine.
Dr. Olga Kofanova
Olga Kofanova holds a PhD in Cryobiology and leads the Production Quality & Proficiency Team at the Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg (LIH). She oversees implementation and continuous improvement of ISO‑compliant quality systems, contributes to national standardisation efforts and advances research on pre‑analytical factors affecting biospecimen integrity. She also coordinates IBBL’s Biospecimen Proficiency Testing Program, supporting excellence across international biobanking networks.
Session details:
- Date: Thursday 21 May
- Time: 13:45 – 15:15