HRE Exploration Biobank @ GIMM

The HRE Exploration Biobank, hosted at GIMM (Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine), is a dedicated European infrastructure supporting sample preservation, research, and innovation in human spaceflight. This biobank provides secure long-term storage of biological samples generated through ESA’s Exploration programmes.

Mission & Purpose:

The HRE Exploration Biobank is dedicated to the long-term preservation, management and distribution of human and environmental biological samples collected in the context of human spaceflight research. Its mission is to provide a high-quality, secure and accessible resource enabling an improved understanding of human adaptation to space, while also supporting investigations into the spaceflight microbial environment, plant biology, and other environmental factors.

Scientific Value:

Investigating physiological adaptation

to microgravity

Characterising immune, musculoskeletal, metabolic and molecular responses

Supporting development of biomedical technologies

Enabling biomarker discovery

Providing a robust resource for European and international research

Research of microbial environment in space

Know more at ESA SciSpacE website here.

Sample Ingestion and Sample Dissemination requests must be approved by ESA before they are submitted to HRE Exploration Biobank.

Requesting Sample Ingestion (Sample Storage at HRE Exploration Biobank)

Sample Ingestion Request by Requesting Entity → Request Validation by HRE Exploration Biobank → Sample Metadata Upload by Requesting Entity → Shipment activation by HRE Exploration Biobank → Sample Verification, Storage and Sample Ingestion Report by HRE Exploration Biobank

Requesting Sample Dissemination (Sample Access from HRE Exploration Biobank)

Sample Dissemination Request by Requesting Entity → Ethical/Board Validation by ESA→ Sample Metadata Upload by HRE Exploration Biobank → Sample Preparation and Shipment activation by HRE Exploration Biobank → Delivery Confirmation by Requesting Entity → Sample Dissemination Report by HRE Exploration Biobank