The HRE ESA 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 and metadata generated through ESA’s Exploration programmes.
Mission & Purpose:
The HRE ESA Exploration Biobank is dedicated to the long-term preservation, management and distribution of biological samples collected in the context of human spaceflight research. Its mission is to provide a high-quality, secure and accessible resource enabling translational research, development of countermeasures, and improved understanding of human adaptation to space.
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
Know more at ESA SciSpacE website here.
- Requesting Sample Ingestion
Process Summary:
Sample Ingestion Request by Requesting Entity → Request Validation by GIMM Biobank → Sample Metadata Upload by Requesting Entity → Shipment activation by GIMM Biobank* → Sample Verification, Storage and Report by GIMM Biobank
- Requesting Sample Dissemination (Access)
Process Summary:
Sample Dissemination Request by Requesting Entity → Ethical/Board Validation by ESA→ Sample Metadata Upload by GIMM Biobank → Sample Preparation and Shipment activation by GIMM Biobank* → Delivery Confirmation by Requesting Entity
- ESA Medical Board approval required
- Ethical approvals required
- Scientific review
- Shipment-cost rules*
- Confidentiality & anonymity
- Documents & SOPs
