Biobanks in Latin America: Insights from a Multinational Survey Conducted in 2021 During the COVID-19 Era.

Abstract

Biobanks provide essential resources for research, yet little is known about their development in Latin America. This study reports the results of a cross-sectional survey conducted by the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories among Latin American biobanks between February and June 2021, during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 56 biobanks from seven countries responded to the survey, answering questions that included their institutional affiliations, funding, governance, and access policies. Most biobanks (94%) are linked to public or academic institutions, with human health research, particularly oncology, as the primary focus. Financial sustainability is a major concern, with most biobanks relying on institutional or grant-based funding. While many biobanks report adherence to international standard operating procedures and openness to share samples and associated data, challenges in data standardization and collaboration persist. Strengthening regional integration, harmonizing governance policies, and ensuring sustainable funding strategies are critical for enhancing the role of biobanks in Latin American and global research.