Task Force

Click here for Application Form

Apply before: 15 April 2026

The Biobank India Foundation (BBIF) is pleased to launch the Indian Biobank Best Practices (IBBP) Initiative, a national effort aimed at developing a comprehensive framework of best practices for biobanking in India.
Biobanks play a critical role in advancing biomedical research, precision medicine, public health studies, biodiversity conservation, and translational science by enabling the systematic collection, preservation, and responsible use of high-quality biological specimens and associated data.
As the biobanking landscape in India continues to expand across hospitals, research institutions, universities, veterinary institutes, biodiversity repositories, and microbial collections, there is an increasing need for harmonized operational guidelines and governance standards. Such standards are essential to ensure biospecimen quality, ethical stewardship, regulatory compliance, and interoperability across institutions.
The IBBP Initiative seeks to bring together experts from biobanking, biomedical research, clinical sciences, veterinary sciences, wildlife and conservation biology, microbiology, ethics, law, information technology, bioinformatics, and data governance to collaboratively develop practical guidance tailored to the Indian research ecosystem.
Through this initiative, BBIF aims to strengthen India’s research infrastructure, promote responsible biospecimen stewardship, and facilitate collaboration among academic institutions, hospitals, research organizations, conservation programs, and industry partners.
The IBBP Initiative represents an important step toward building a robust, trusted, and globally connected biobanking ecosystem in India, supporting scientific discovery, innovation, and sustainable research for the benefit of healthcare, biodiversity, and society.

About the Task Force
The Indian Biobank Best Practices Task Force will lead the development of national best practice guidelines tailored to the needs of Indian biobanks.
The Task Force will include experts from diverse disciplines and sectors, working collaboratively to develop recommendations covering:
• biospecimen management
• ethical governance
• quality systems
• regulatory compliance
• digital infrastructure
• long-term sustainability of biobanks

The goal is to establish a practical, harmonized, and scalable framework that supports high-quality biobanking operations across India while ensuring alignment with ethical principles, national regulations, and international standards.
BBIF welcomes applications from professionals and experts committed to strengthening the biobanking ecosystem in India and contributing to the development of national standards for biospecimen research infrastructure.

Scope of the Indian Biobank Best Practices
The IBBP framework will address best practices across multiple types of biobanks and biospecimen repositories, including:
Human Biobanks
Clinical, disease-specific, and population biobanks supporting biomedical and translational research.
Animal and Veterinary Biobanks
Repositories preserving animal biospecimens for veterinary medicine, livestock genetics, and comparative biomedical research.
Wildlife and Biodiversity Biobanks
Collections supporting wildlife conservation, biodiversity monitoring, and ecological research.
Microbial Biobanks
Microbial culture collections and pathogen repositories supporting microbiology, infectious disease research, and biotechnology.
Environmental Biobanks
Repositories preserving environmental specimens such as soil, water, and ecological samples for environmental and climate research.

Scope of Work for the IBBP Task Force
The Task Force will develop guidance across key areas of biobank operations and governance, including:
Biospecimen Collection and Processing: Standardized procedures for collection, labeling, handling, transport, and processing of biological samples to ensure specimen integrity and reproducibility.
Sample Preservation and Cryogenic Storage: Best practices for long-term preservation including cryogenic storage systems, liquid nitrogen (LN₂) tanks, cryovials, cryoshippers, temperature monitoring systems, and cold chain logistics.
Quality Management Systems: Implementation of quality assurance and quality control frameworks to ensure traceability, reliability, and consistency in biospecimen management.
Biobank Information Systems and Digital Infrastructure: Guidance on biobank software platforms, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), digital tracking systems, interoperability standards, and cybersecurity measures.
Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Frameworks: Guidelines addressing informed consent, participant rights, privacy protection, governance models, institutional ethics committee oversight, and regulatory compliance.
Data Governance and Data Sharing: Recommendations for metadata standards, secure data management, privacy protection, controlled access mechanisms, and responsible data sharing frameworks.
Biosafety and Risk Management: Guidance on safe handling, transport, and storage of biological materials in alignment with biosafety and biosecurity standards.
Training and Capacity Building: Development of training resources, competency frameworks, and workforce development programs for biobanking professionals.

Key Deliverables of the Task Force
The Task Force will work toward several important outcomes that support the development of biobanking in India:
Indian Biobank Best Practices (IBBP) Guideline Document
A comprehensive national guidance document outlining standardized operational, ethical, and governance practices for biobanks.
Model SOPs and Operational Templates
Development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), documentation templates, and workflow models that institutions can adapt and implement.

Guidance on Digital Infrastructure
Recommendations for biobank information systems, LIMS architecture, data standards, and interoperability frameworks.
Training and Capacity Development Modules
Creation of training materials, workshops, and educational programs to strengthen biobanking capacity across India.
Framework for National Collaboration
Support the development of a network of Indian biobanks enabling responsible biospecimen and research data sharing.
Roadmap for Quality and Accreditation
Guidance on implementing quality management systems and preparing biobanks for national and international accreditation.

Governance Structure of the IBBP Initiative
To ensure effective development and implementation of the Indian Biobank Best Practices framework, the initiative will follow a structured governance model.

Steering Committee
The Steering Committee will provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the initiative.
Responsibilities include:
• Defining the vision and objectives of the initiative
• Approving the framework and scope of guidelines
• Ensuring alignment with national regulations and international standards
• Supporting collaborations with research institutions, healthcare organizations, conservation agencies, and policymakers

Thematic Working Groups
Specialized Working Groups will focus on specific domains of biobank operations.
Potential working groups include:
• Biospecimen Collection and Processing
• Cryogenic Storage and Biobank Infrastructure
• Quality Management and Accreditation
• Ethics, Legal, and Regulatory Governance
• Biobank Information Systems and Digital Infrastructure
• Data Governance and Bioinformatics
• Biosafety and Risk Management
• Training and Capacity Development
Each working group will develop recommendations that contribute to the final IBBP guideline framework.

Expert Panel
The Expert Panel will consist of professionals from academia, hospitals, research institutions, conservation organizations, industry, and technology sectors.
The panel will provide technical expertise, peer review, and guidance to ensure the guidelines are:
• Scientifically robust
• Operationally practical
• Ethically responsible
• Internationally aligned

Areas of Expertise Needed for IBBP Working Groups
BBIF invites participation from professionals with expertise in the following areas:
Biobanking and Biospecimen Management: Experts involved in biospecimen collection, processing, storage, and biobank operations.
Clinical and Biomedical Research: Researchers and clinicians working in genomics, translational medicine, oncology, epidemiology, and clinical trials.
Veterinary, Wildlife, and Biodiversity Sciences: Experts working in animal health, conservation biology, biodiversity research, and wildlife genetic repositories.
Microbiology and Microbial Repositories: Scientists managing microbial culture collections and pathogen repositories.
Cryogenic Systems and Biobank Infrastructure: Professionals with experience in LN₂ storage systems, cryogenic engineering, cold chain logistics, and cryoshippers.
Quality Management and Accreditation: Experts in quality management systems, laboratory accreditation, biosafety, and regulatory standards.
Ethics, Legal, and Regulatory Affairs: Bioethicists, legal experts, and Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC/IRB) members experienced in informed consent, privacy protection, and ethical governance.
Information Technology and Biobank Software Systems: IT experts specializing in LIMS, biobank information systems, digital consent platforms, data security, and software architecture.
Bioinformatics and Data Science: Experts working in genomic data management, artificial intelligence in research, and biomedical data analytics.
Data Governance and Data Sharing: Professionals experienced in data stewardship, privacy frameworks, and secure data sharing platforms.
Training and Capacity Development: Experts involved in training programs and professional development for laboratory and research staff.

Why Join the Task Force?
Influence National Standards: Help develop guidelines that may become a reference framework for biobanking practices across India.
Collaborate with Leading Experts: Work alongside professionals from science, medicine, ethics, data science, conservation, and policy fields.
Contribute to National Research Infrastructure: Support the growth of high-quality biomedical and scientific research infrastructure in India.
Expand Professional Expertise: Gain experience in biobank governance, quality management systems, and digital research infrastructure.

Roles and Responsibilities
Task Force members will be expected to:
• Contribute to the development and review of biobank best practice guidelines
• Provide technical input and domain expertise in relevant areas
• Support the review and refinement of draft documents
• Participate in working group discussions and consultations
• Assist in dissemination, training, and implementation of best practices

Eligibility
Applicants should ideally meet one or more of the following criteria:
• 5–10 years of experience in a relevant field
• Experience in biobanking, biomedical research, laboratory operations, conservation science, microbial repositories, digital systems, or research infrastructure
• Affiliation with academic institutions, hospitals, research organizations, conservation institutes, industry, or technology companies

How to Apply
Interested experts are invited to submit:
• Short professional profile or CV
• Area of expertise
• Brief statement of interest describing how they would like to contribute

Selected experts will be invited to participate in working groups and consultations to develop the Indian Biobank Best Practices framework.

Email us: biobankindiafoundation@gmail.com