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EGYPTIAN BIOBANK
ALLIANCE (EBA)

I. Rationale for the initiation of EGYPTIAN BIOBANK ALLIANCE

Biobank is defined as the long-term storage of biological samples and linked data for research purposes.
Our scope of work is human biological samples such as blood, tissue, urine, saliva or it is derivatives such as DNA, RNA …etc.
It is a key resource for healthcare to identify new potential biomarkers that can be used in patient diagnosis. However, due to limited resources and awareness, biobank development has not progressed at the same pace in Egypt as in developed countries, which has implications for the development of health sciences and evidence-based disease control.
There is a need to develop standard protocols and regulatory procedures to govern biobanking activities in Egypt which will inform national policies and guidelines in relation to sample acquisition, storage, sharing and reporting of results.

II. Objectives of EGYPTIAN BIOBANK ALLIANCE

The aims of the network are to:

  1. Share experiences among the newly establishment biobanks through sharing the standard operation procedures of the wellestablished biobanks.
  2. Share services including, trainings, workshops and Conferences.
  3. Adopt unified materials for guidelines such as IARC biobank guidelines, consent form and SOPs.
  4. Raise awareness of the importance of biobanks through meeting, journalism, media, and broadcasting.

III. Legal and Organization structure:

The network will be hosted by Specialized Federation of Scientific Research NGO

IV. Steering committee

The network will be hosted by Specialized Federation of Scientific Research NGO

  • There will be a steering committee that consists of the founders.
  • The criteria of joining the steering committee are at least 2 items of
  • the following:
    1. Having a functioning biobank
    2. The founders are those who initiated the first efforts of the network in 2013.
    3. Having an expertise in biobanking or related fields such as ethics, legal, accreditation…etc.
  • An agreement has been made to have the following as the steering
    committee:

    1. Dr. Wagida Anwar
    2. Dr. Wafaa Abdel Aal
    3. Dr. Azza Saleh
    4. Dr. Iman Gouda
    5. Dr. Douaa Mohammed Sayed
    6. Dr. Amany Mohamed Maher
    7. Dr. Hany Selim
    8. Dr. Sameera Ezzat (Coordinator)
    9. Representative from 57 hospital
  • A coordinator will be chosen from the steering committee by voting,
    the coordinator will serve for the duration of 2 years.

V. Advisory:

Head of IARC biobankk will act as an adviser to the committee.
Other international experts will be chosen and approved by the committee.

VI. Membership to the EGYPTIAN BIOBANK ALLIANCE

  • Both centers and individuals may be considered for the network membership.
  • Centers and individuals interested in joining the network will be required to complete and submit a network membership application.
  • The criteria for center membership are
    1. Having or planning to establish a biobank.
    2. Willingness to actively participate in the network.
  • Both centers and individuals may be considered for the network membership.
    center Principal Investigator or designated representative must present the biobank activities for consideration at the network Meeting.
  • Individual Membership is scientists with expertise in domains relevant to biobanking.
  • Active participation in at least one Interest Group is a requirement for maintaining membership.
  • The steering committee will evaluate, vote, and recommend center Membership based on the above criteria.

VII. Role of the steering committee

  • Steer the organization, and identify areas for development;
  • Appoint members to sub-committees to develop the different focus areas, e.g. governance, SOPs, and infrastructure development;
  • Have a road map, plan of action, and evaluating and reporting systems;
  • Play an educational role by organizing awareness programmes to regularly inform the decision-makers (members of the government,
    administrators, religious leaders, associations, etc.) about the role and benefit of biobanking and sample sharing in improving human health;
  • Play an active role in establishing the country’s regulations on biological sample sharing for national and international collaboration.
  • Review and approval Advisors.

VIII. Role of the coordinator:

  • Maintenance of all record keeping such as updating the list of network members.
  • Reporting of concerns/conflicts to the Steering committee.
  • Overall coordination of the collaboration
  • Monitor the progress of Alliance activities.
  • Communication amongst Interest Working Groups.
  • Distribution of meeting minutes where appropriate.
  • Help in organization of Alliance meeting.

IX. Role of the Alliance members

  • Support the functions of the network;
  • Appoint a focal person to represent their institution on the coordination committee;
  • Provide the environment for successful interdisciplinary collaboration between partners.

X. Role of advisors

  • Provide technical expertise in different fields related to biobanking.
  • Help with developing SOPs
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