Category: Biobank News

We are pleased to welcome Holly Galligan to Biobank Ireland Trust as our new Events and Marketing Intern. Holly joins us from Maynooth University, where she is currently completing her degree in Business and Marketing Studies with a strong focus on digital marketing, innovation, communications, and organisational development. Throughout her studies, she has developed a strong interest in health-related organisations, communications, stakeholder engagement, and innovation. This experience she now brings to her placement with Biobank Ireland Trust. During her placement with Biobank Ireland Trust, Holly will support a wide range of activities, including event coordination, marketing communications, and operational support across our programmes. Her role involves assisting with the planning and delivery of events and supporting outreach efforts with partners, donors, and the wider community. Holly has already contributed to several initiatives, such as preparing for the Biobank Ireland Annual Symposium and Biobank Ireland Black Tie Ball, demonstrating strong organisational skills, creativity, and attention to detail.

Holly’s placement also provides her with the opportunity to gain insight into the broader impact of biobanking in Ireland. By working closely with our team, she will learn how Biobanks collect, store, and share human tissue samples for ethically approved research projects, aiming to improve understanding of cancer’s molecular mechanisms, treatment response, and resistance collection. This supports clinical research, advances scientific discovery, and contributes to improved patient outcomes for cancer research. Her work in events and communications plays an important role in strengthening awareness, supporting fundraising efforts, and helping us connect with the communities and supporters who make our mission possible.

At Biobank Ireland Trust, we are committed to supporting the development of future professionals in health and research. Internships play an important role in sharing knowledge, building skills, and bringing in fresh perspectives. Holly’s enthusiasm, professionalism, and willingness to take on new challenges make her a valuable addition to our team.

We are delighted to have Holly on board and look forward to supporting her throughout her professional development with us.

Welcome to the team, Holly!

Biobank Takes on the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon 2026

On Sunday, 31 May, a fantastic group from Biobank laced up their runners and joined thousands of women on the streets of Dublin for the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon — Ireland’s iconic 10km event and the largest all-female race of its kind in the world.

Now in its 44th year, the Mini Marathon is much more than a race. It’s a celebration of community, resilience, and women coming together for causes that matter — and this year’s theme, “Because You Can,” felt like a perfect fit for our team.

Our Biobank runners walked, jogged, and ran the 10km route through Dublin city, from Fitzwilliam Place to Lower Baggot Street, alongside close to 30,000 participants all raising money for charities close to their hearts. The atmosphere on the day was electric, and the sense of pride at the finish line was something special.

We’re incredibly proud of everyone who took part on behalf of Biobank. Events like this are a reminder of why community fundraising matters — and the energy, effort, and good humour our team brought to race day made it a day to remember.

A massive congratulations and thank you to all our runners.

The BioBank Golf Classic in aid of cancer research was held again this year on Friday 19th June in Malahide Golf Club – our 16th year in Malahide!  A total of 50 teams participated and we expect the day will raise in excess of €20,000 all of which will go towards funding new treatments in the fight against cancer.

Despite inclement weather a great day and evening was had by all with a possible club record achieved of TWO holes in one at a single outing – both on Red 9. The visiting teams were effusive in their praise for the course, clubhouse and facilities with most players on multiple repeat visits to this great day of golf. BioBank will return to MGC on June 18th 2027 with the time sheet already in great shape. A huge thank you to our organising Committee, our Volunteers, our Admin and our many supporters and sponsors – you turn up every year and you all did a great job! Looking forward to next year!

Written by: Gerry Fitzsimons – Director BioBank Ireland Trust

The Trinity St James’s Biobank Network (TSBN) is a working group of representatives from biobanks in Trinity College Dublin and its associated hospitals; St James’s Hospital, The Coombe Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and a collaborating hospital, Beaumont Hospital.

The purpose of the TSBN is to act as a forum for education, co-ordination and policy generation for all areas relating to biobanking. Embedded within the network, is the patient voice, where biobanks work closely with patient advocates from across various organizations, including the TSJCI Patient Representative Group. The TSBN Annual Newsletter provides a snapshot of some of the metrics across all disease-specific biobanks in 2025.

Newsletter: Biobank Ireland Newsletter 240426

For more information on the TSBN, please click on the following link: https://www.tcd.ie/medicine/trinity-st-jamess-biobank-network/

The All-Island Biobanking Symposium, hosted by Biobank Ireland Trust, took place on Friday, 17th October 2025, at the Ashling Hotel, Dublin, bringing together leading researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and biobank professionals from across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The event focused on advancing collaboration, standardisation, and innovation in biobanking to strengthen biomedical research and healthcare outcomes across the island. Speakers highlighted the vital role of biobanks in supporting precision medicine, translational research, and public health initiatives.

The symposium received national media attention, featuring on RTÉ’s Six O’Clock News, underscoring the growing recognition of biobanking as a critical part of Ireland’s research infrastructure.

Sessions covered topics including data governance, ethical frameworks, funding opportunities, and the future integration of biobanking networks across institutions. The event also provided an opportunity to showcase the All-Island Biobank Directory initiative, aimed at improving visibility and collaboration among existing biobanking resources.

The strong turnout and positive engagement reflected a shared commitment to fostering a coordinated, sustainable, and impactful biobanking network across Ireland.

Professor Sean Hynes Highlights All-Island Biobanking Symposium on Newstalk

Biobanking in Ireland: From Sample to Society

Presented by the Biobank Ireland Trust, Biobanc na Gaillimhe, Trinity St James Biobank, and Northern Ireland Biobank

Join us for the first ever full-day All Island Biobanking Symposium, a landmark event bringing together cutting-edge science and lived patient experience to explore the evolving role of biobanking in healthcare and research.

Biobanks are the backbone of modern medicine. From cancer to cardiovascular disease, ethically donated patient samples are driving discoveries, shaping new diagnostics, and powering precision therapies. This symposium will showcase the breadth of Irish biobanking expertise, highlight international collaborations, and spark a conversation on how we can build a stronger, more connected biobank network across Ireland.

The morning session spotlights networking biobanking practice on the island of Ireland and will explore opportunities, challenges and next steps in strengthening Ireland’s role in the international biobanking landscape.

The afternoon session brings the patient’s voice to the centre: exploring consent, trust, advocacy, and the human impact of biobanking. Patients, clinicians, and advocates will share how generosity in donation translates into real progress for cancer care and beyond.

Whether you are a researcher, clinician, policymaker, student, or patient advocate, this is your opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of biobanking in Ireland.

When: Friday, October 17th, 2025

Where: Aisling Hotel, Dublin

Morning Session: 9.30am-1pm

Afternoon Session: 2pm-5pm

Eventbrite Link for registration – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/all-island-biobanking-symposium-2025-tickets-1480558252589?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Trinity St James’s Biobank Network (TSBN) is a working group of representatives from biobanks in Trinity College Dublin and its associated hospitals; St James’s Hospital, The Coombe Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and a collaborating hospital, Beaumont Hospital. The purpose of the TSBN is to act as a forum for education, co-ordination and policy generation for all areas relating to biobanking. Embedded within the network, is the patient voice. The TSBN Annual Newsletter provides a snapshot of some of the metrics across all disease-specific biobanks in 2024.

View the newsletter here: TSBN 2024 Newsletter

For more information on the TSBN, please click on the following link: https://www.tcd.ie/medicine/trinity-st-jamess-biobank-network/

Biobank Ireland Trust is developing a unified, federated system that links biobanks throughout the island of Ireland, encouraging collaboration and advancing cancer research. For the last 8 years, our teams of volunteers have run the Irish Life Dublin Marathon to raise the necessary funds to develop the Biobank network.

The Irish Life Dublin Marathon takes place on the 26th of October, starting in Leeson Street Lower at 8.45 am and finishes on Mount Street Upper, spanning for a total of 26.2 miles. Join our team as either a runner or walker and complete the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in under 7 hours, to make a tangible contribution to advancing cancer research and supporting the transformative work of Biobank Ireland Trust.

If you want to join our team, we have places available you can fill by following the link below:

Click Here to Join Us