The CS-BIQ project connects Czech and Swiss biobanks—facilities that store samples of biological material (such as blood or tissue) for medical research. These samples are crucial for the development of new diagnostic methods and treatments. However, their use is often limited due to varying quality and poor availability of data that describe the samples in detail, including information about their collection and storage.
The goal of the CS-BIQ project is to address this issue. Czech biobanks can draw on best practices from Switzerland to improve the quality of their work with biological material and, with the assistance of Swiss experts, obtain internationally recognized certification. As part of the project, we are also working to standardize the way information about samples is recorded so that samples and related data can be easily searched and used across partner countries.
Thanks to this initiative, researchers—not only from the participating countries—will be able to find suitable biological samples and related data more quickly and use them effectively in their research. The project also aims to establish guidelines for the safe and ethically responsible sharing of samples and related patient data. Emphasis is placed on the protection of personal data and the secure handling of sensitive information.
For the average person, the project has concrete significance, especially for the future. Greater access to high-quality data can accelerate the development of new diagnostic methods and treatments, for example in the field of cancer or chronic diseases. This can lead to earlier detection of diseases, more precise, patient-tailored treatment, and an overall improvement in health care.
The CS-BIQ project thus helps connect research across Europe and contributes to ensuring that scientific findings have a real impact on people’s daily lives.
Abstract and Project Objectives
The CS-BIQ project connects the national nodes of BBMRI-ERIC in Czechia (BBMRI.cz) and Switzerland (BBMRI.ch) with the aim of strengthening the quality and interoperability of biobanking services in both countries. It focuses on two key areas: i) harmonisation of biospecimen quality in biobanking processes, and ii) institutional readiness for FAIRification of data associated with biospecimens.
In the area of quality, a Swiss evaluation system will be introduced to support Czech biobanks to obtain the internationally recognised BBMRI-ERIC Quality Label or ISO 20387 accreditation. The Swiss partner will provide methodological guidance and training, while the Czech node will gradually take over the initiative of evaluation in the project lasting period.
The project will support data integration and cataloguing on site resulting in metadata findable in the national catalogues of BBMRI.cz (data.bbmri.cz) or BBMRI.ch (SBP NExT). The goal is to automatise metadata management and preparation to set FAIRification processes in the biobanks for biospecimens and data.
The project will develop an ethical and legal framework for sharing biospecimens and data between Czechia and Switzerland to simplify international collaboration in compliance with GDPR and Swiss regulations. This framework will be helpful for future cohort development when a demand will come.
The project will strengthen the capacities of both national nodes, establish a reusable model of collaboration, and increase the visibility, and efficiency of biobanks in both countries.
| Beneficiary | Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute (BBMRI) |
| Project partner(s) (Czech Republic) | Institute of Rheumatology
Charles University, First faculty of Medicine Prague Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen Palacký University Olomouc Masaryk University Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion |
| Project partner(s) (Switzerland) | Swiss Biobanking Platform |
| Project duration | 1.1.2026–31.12.2028 |
| Main project location | Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno |
| Project website | https://www.bbmri.cz/biobanks/projects/cs-biq |
| Website: The Second Swiss Contribution | https://www.swiss-contribution.cz/en/ |
| Total eligible project costs | CZK 26,965,000 |
| Of which 85% from the Swiss contribution | CZK 22,920,250 |
| Project ID | 8K0204 |
