Biobank networking to preserve biological diversity

Network for the Future

In the face of ever-greater challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss, global access to research data is of immense importance. Now more than ever, it is essential to record and document the planet’s genetic diversity, to link the available knowledge on this subject, and to make it accessible to all. In this context, it is not only the genetic resources made available in accordance with international quality standards, together with the associated data, that constitute a vital asset; the autonomy of the global scientific community in determining how these data are made available as freely as possible, whilst adhering to legal and ethical standards, is also a vital asset. GGBN is a resource network and the foundation for researching and addressing the pressing questions and problems of our time. To this end, it is imperative that resources for science and practical application are made available. GGBN therefore strengthens collaboration between molecular collections worldwide, raises awareness of the need for biobanks for biodiversity and One Health, and makes high-quality DNA, tissue, cell and environmental samples digitally available via a shared data portal.

From the DNA sequence to scientific understanding

GGBN’s digital infrastructure and ongoing technical development enable scientists to quickly trace a published DNA sequence of an organism back to the corresponding reference specimen, and vice versa. This makes it possible, for example, to verify whether the species identification is correct or to determine the geographical location from which the sample originates. This is of crucial importance in biology, as only a small proportion of species have so far been studied using modern evolutionary biology methods. In the case of algae, insects and fungi in particular, the majority of species remain unknown. GGBN is establishing standards here for a comprehensive comparison of samples from all over the world.

To this end, the technology has been further developed to enable the automated linking of samples from biobanks with collection and research data from other global research data infrastructures. Of particular importance here are the gene sequence archives of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC), such as the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA). This is where all DNA sequence data, which forms the basis of scientific publications, is stored. Further crucial links are those to the individual databases of physical specimens held in the collections of GGBN member institutions, together with their digital images and collection data.

For research purposes, the GGBN portal not only offers straightforward access to globally available material, but also ensures that this access is in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol (an annex to the Convention on Biological Diversity) governs access to genetic resources between countries and the fair sharing of benefits arising from their use. All GGBN data complies with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) to ensure optimal accessibility and usability. In line with other global digital research infrastructures, GGBN sets standards for the transparency and reproducibility of research, as well as for the implementation of good scientific practice.

Global Genome Biodiversity Network – all working towards a common goal

Under the umbrella of GGBN, a community of institutions has come together to establish global standards and promote collaboration between institutions across national and disciplinary boundaries. In addition to natural history museums, botanical gardens and herbaria, the network also includes zoos, cultural and environmental sample collections, and agricultural and forestry research institutions.

From its foundation in 2011 until 2025, the network was coordinated by the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. At the beginning of 2026, the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, based in Bonn and Hamburg, took over this role. Since the GGBN’s foundation, the Berlin Botanical Garden has headed the network’s Technical Secretariat and, together with its researchers specialising in biodiversity informatics and collection data integration, has been continuously developing the technical platform for the digital research infrastructure. From 2021 onwards, the technical infrastructure based at the Berlin Botanical Garden was upgraded to handle large volumes of data and provide improved access, thanks to funding from the BMFTR.

Current publications:

Published in the journal BioScience: Connecting Biodiversity Biobanks in the Global Infrastructure Landscape. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biag138

Upcoming publication in the journal Biopreservation and Biobanking: “Where Worlds Align”: Insights from the Joint GGBN–ISBER Conference on Biodiversity and Biobanking, Cape Town, Oct. 2025. A publication about the most recent GGBN conference, which was organised jointly with the international umbrella organisation for, in particular, human biobanks https://doi.org/10.1177/19475535261488949v (link coming soon).

Ongoing project funding:

Biodiversity: Technical and organisational measures for the establishment of the technical secretariat within the Global Genome Biodiversity Network (GGBN-Tec). Grant recipient: Freie Universität Berlin – Central Institution for the Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin. Funding body: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), grant reference 03LC2020A

Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung fördert Global Genome Biodiversity Network am Botanischen Garten Berlin – FONA

https://biooekonomie.de/foerderung/projektatlas/biodiversitaet-technische-und-organisatorische-massnahmen-zur-etablierung

GGBN at the Berlin Botanical Garden

Project lead / Contact for interview enquiries:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Borsch, Direktor Botanischer Garten Berlin
+49 30 838 50133
sekretariat-direktor@bo.berlin

Anton Güntsch, Leiter Zentrum für Biodiversitätsinformatik und Sammlungsdatenintegration 
+49 30 838 50166
a.guentsch@bo.berlin

Gabi Dröge, Leitung Technisches Sekretariat GGBN
+49 30 838 50139
g.droege@bo.berlin

Press photos (available for download): https://bo.berlin/de/presse/pressefotos#VernetzungBiobanken