Biobanks are the meeting point of two major information trends in biomedical research: the generation of huge amounts of genomic and other laboratory data, and the electronic capture and integration of patient clinical records. They are comprised of large numbers of human biospecimens supplemented with clinical data. Biobanks – when implemented effectively – can harness the power of both genomic and clinical data and serve as a critical bridge between basic and applied research, linking laboratory to patient and getting to cures faster.

At the IBM Worldwide BioBank Summit IV in November 2005, FasterCures announced plans to build and maintain BioBank Central, a web-based portal to connect all the constituencies in the global biobank community.

As science and technology leaders work to address the many challenges facing U.S. biobanks – logistical, technical, ethical, financial, intellectual property, and IT – BioBank Central will serve as an accurate and timely source of knowledge and news about biorepositories and their role in research and drug development.

The Web site, built in partnership with Feinstein Kean Healthcare, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, also provides a working group venue, patient and public education programs, and a forum for international collaboration and harmonization of best practices. The project is sponsored by IBM, Affymetrix, Bioaccelerate, and Invitrogen. Visit About our Sponsors to learn more.