More than just a

Abstract

Biobanks are structures used for the preservation of biological samples. These repositories store biospecimens for short or long period of time, depending on the aim for which they are employed. The collections stored inside consist of different types and for each material there's a specific protocol to be followed, in order to keep sample in the best condition as possible. So, a good state is a primary hallmark and its basic to have a well-protected specimen to obtain reliable results fit for clinical purposes and research. In the last years, medical sciences are developing together with the progress of knowledge and skills: the need for new answer to questions about rare and common diseases has greatly contributed to the creation of a network of biobanks which cooperate in Europe and internationally to discover new findings. Therefore, the importance of biobanks is currently considerable. In this article, the topic of biobanks is argued by reviewing the most relevant aspects of these centers. Due to the strategic role of biobanks, the debate on their management and policy is focused on a variety of issues with the aim of reaching a shared agreement and obtaining a universal concordance. Only so, it will possible to achieve and maintain unity and create homogeneous system of biobanking.