
Overview
The 2nd IBCQ International Biobanking Conference 2021 organized by Qatar Biobank in partnership with the European and Middle Eastern Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking (ESBB) and with support of the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) and the Biobanking and BioMolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI-ERIC) aims at creating global discussions around the theme:
“BIOBANKING FOR PRECISION CARE- LESSONS LEARNED FROM GLOBAL CRISES”.
The 2nd IBCQ International Biobanking Conference 2021 will take place between 8-10 March in a virtual format for the first time. The three-day event will feature an international group of experts on biobanking, genomics, and personalized medicine from around the world, with a focus on precision medicine care and the lessons learned from global crises, such as the global pandemic (COVID-19). Most importantly, the conference will bring Qatar’s and international Biobanking community together to highlight their achievements and progress.
Conference objectives:
- Highlight the system in place in Qatar to fight the global pandemic
- Showcase the progress Qatar made over the past few years in biobanking and genomics to a wider international audience
- Raise awareness of the newest technologies and trends in the global biobanking sector
Serve as a platform for students, researchers, and experts globally to exhibit their research findings and new ideas in the field of biobanking, and network with a range of leading scientists from around the world to help further their interest in this field - Bring together leading scientists, researchers, industry experts, biobanking and genomics experts, and students from Qatar and around the world to discuss precision medicine and responses to global crises
- To encourage best practice sharing within Biobanking community in fighting the current COVID 19 virus as well as discuss different responses to global pandemics and crises.
Key Dates
Conference Registration
4 December 2020
Online registration launch
15 January 2021
Early Bird registration deadline
7 March 2021
Regular registration deadline
Abstract Submission
15 December 2020
Call for abstracts launch
15 January 2021
Abstract submission deadline
25 – 29 January
Notification of acceptance
Organising Comittees

- Dr Nahla Afifi, Scientific & Education Manager/ Acting Director, Qatar Biobank, Qatar Foundation
- Linda Hannigan, Research and Training Specialist, Qatar Biobank for Medical Research
- Rosita Kammler, ESBB President, Head, Translational Research Coordination, IBCSG, ETOP
- Ayat Salman, PhD, Operations Director CPCSSN PostDoc Fellow Queen’s University Department of Family Medicine ISO/TC/MC 276 Chair (Standards Council of Canada)
- Murat Dogru, ESBB Association Manager
- Jens K. Habermann, Prof., Director General BBMRI-ERIC
- Marianne K. Henderson, M.S. CPC, Center for Global Health & Office of Director, DCEG National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, ISBER
- Dr Nahla Afifi, Scientific & Education Manager/ Acting Director, Qatar Biobank, Qatar Foundation
- Linda Hannigan, Research and Training Specialist, Qatar Biobank for Medical Research
- Ronny Baber, PhD, Head of the Leipzig Medical Biobank and Preanalytical Laboratory, University Leipzig, treasurer ESBB
- Ayat Salman, PhD, Operations Director CPCSSN PostDoc Fellow Queen’s University Department of Family Medicine ISO/TC/MC 276 Chair (Standards Council of Canada)
- Andrea Wutte, Head of Quality Management, BBMRI-ERIC
- Michaela Th. Mayrhofer, Head of ELSI Services & Research, BBMRI-ERIC
- Dr. Alison Parry-Jones, PhD, Operations Director, Wales Cancer Bank – Cardiff University, ISBER
- Rania Labib, PhD, NIH, National Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Genetics, ISBER
- Mohammed H. Al-Dosari, Qatar Biobank Communication and Participants Recruitment Manager
- Mahfoud Boumaraf, Participant Outreach Specialist, Qatar Biobank
The lectures helped me gained knowledge about biobanking and I hope that more group work or workshop will be integrated in future conferences.
— Conference Attendee - 2017
The two day conference was well organised and the speakers represented the global issues associated with biobanking and personalised healthcare. Overall, my awareness of Biobanking and personalised healthcare has improved dramatically and look forward to utilising this knowledge for the future development of molecular diagnostics.
— Conference Attendee - 2017
The outcome of the conference is successful detailing the importance of biobanking for possible networking of all GCC counterpart.
— Conference Attendee - 2017
Everthing seems astonishing from the program and specially to speakers. Job well done
— Conference Attendee - 2017
I like the way of organizing the conference & the great knowledge we have acquainted through the professional or social interaction that we have experienced which will help me in my career.
— Conference Attendee - 2017

2500+
Attendees

35+
International Speakers

15+
Exhibitors

100+
Affiliations from around the globe