On October 19 to 24, 2026, a scientific and educational event "Biobanking School: The Experience of the PRC" took place in China. The program was designed to provide an in-depth look at international best practices in the organization and management of biobanks, as well as to explore the regulatory framework, technological processes, and infrastructure of leading scientific and medical centers in China. Participation in the School offered a unique opportunity for professional development, the exchange of expertise, and the fostering of international collaboration within the rapidly evolving field of biobanking.
Dr. Vladimir Davydenko, junior researcher, Laboratory of Virology and Immunology of HIV Infection, took part in the event.
The participants visited Westlake University in Hangzhou; the Genepoint production facility in Suzhou — where they toured workshops and observed the assembly and testing of specialized biobanking equipment and instruments, such as cryostorage units and automated systems; the Genepoint headquarters in Shanghai; the Shanghai Biobank; the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Hospital; and the Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity.
The event included sessions on the organizational principles and operations of modern clinical and research biobanks; an overview of China’s approach to biobanking regulation, standardization, and ethics; an examination of technological solutions for cryostorage, sample management (LIMS), and logistics; tours of manufacturing facilities for biobanking equipment; and the establishment of professional connections with Chinese colleagues. School participants acquired both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies in the field of modern biobanking. Specifically, they mastered the principles of organizing and operating clinical and research biobanks; gained insight into the Chinese approach to the regulation, standardization, and ethics of biobanking; learned about advanced cryopreservation technologies, sample management via LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems), and the logistics of biospecimens; developed practical skills in using automated cryopreservation systems; and gained a deeper understanding of the processes involved in the design, manufacturing, and operation of biobanking equipment—facilitated, in part, by visits to production facilities and Q&A sessions with developers.
