On Friday, 23rd October 2026, Biobank Ireland Trust was delighted to host the All-Island Biobank Symposium 2026 at Riddel Hall in Belfast. The event brought together researchers, healthcare professionals, biobanking experts, patient representatives and industry professionals from across Ireland and Northern Ireland for a day of insightful discussions, knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
We were thrilled with the fantastic turnout and positive response to the symposium. It was wonderful to see so many individuals from across the biobanking community come together, united by a shared commitment to advancing biobanking and supporting the future of medical research.
The symposium featured engaging presentations and roundtable discussions, providing valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, share expertise and explore key topics such as funding, sustainability, innovation and the future of biobanking. We were also delighted to welcome seven brilliant patient representatives, whose personal experiences and valuable perspectives highlighted the real-world impact of biobanking and the importance of keeping patients at the heart of medical research.
The day also celebrated research excellence through our abstract and poster competition. We were delighted to present the Dr Stephen McQuaid Gold Medal Award to Michael Corr, who accepted the award on behalf of his research group for their work titled “Age Shapes Immunological Susceptibility to Chronic Active Antibody-Mediated Rejection After Kidney Transplantation: A Biobank-Enabled Proteomic Study.” Congratulations to Michael and the entire team on this fantastic achievement and their valuable contribution to medical research!
The symposium was a tremendous success, and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our speakers, patient representatives, attendees and everyone who contributed to making the day possible. Your enthusiasm, engagement and continued support are invaluable.
We look forward to building on the conversations and connections made in Belfast as we continue to raise awareness, encourage collaboration and champion the future of biobanking across the island of Ireland.
Thank you to everyone who made the All-Island Biobank Symposium 2026 such a memorable occasion!
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The Biobanking in Ireland Review and Directory
Introducing the Biobanking in Ireland Review and Directory, a comprehensive resource compiling detailed information on Ireland’s key biobanks, their leadership teams, research focus areas, and capabilities to support collaboration and advance scientific discovery. We will circulate this Directory in the coming months. If you are a biobank and wish to participate, please reach out to us for inclusion.
