Recently, the National Health Commission announced the results of the 14th batch of approvals for administrative licensing matters regarding China’s human genetic resources in 2026, confirming that the biobank of the Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory has officially been granted the administrative license for the “Preservation of China’s Human Genetic Resources.” This marks that the Jinan laboratory has met national standards in the standardized preservation of human genetic resources, biosafety assurance, and support for major scientific research projects, signaling that the development of its research platform has entered a new phase.
Human genetic resources are strategic national resources, and their standardized preservation is the cornerstone of medical and technological innovation. The biobank has passed authoritative national assessments across all dimensions—including organizational management, facility conditions, ethical standards, quality control, and information security—and possesses the practical capability to conduct large-scale sample preservation legally and safely. The laboratory will seize this opportunity to further integrate the entire chain from “clinical problems—basic research—translation of results,” providing a solid platform to support high-level research in the field of microbiome biomedicine.
High-Standard Construction to Create a World-Class Sample Resource Platform
The Jinan Laboratory’s biological sample repository covers a total area of approximately 1,641 square meters. Its overall layout strictly adheres to the principle of separating “personnel flow, sample flow, and waste flow,” with scientifically designed and clearly defined traffic routes that comprehensively ensure the safety and compliance of sample storage. Currently, the biobank is equipped with 17 -80°C ultra-low temperature freezers and 3 sets of -196°C large-scale liquid nitrogen storage systems. It is integrated with AGV transport robots, an intelligent biological sample management system, and an intelligent environmental monitoring system, enabling fully automated operations throughout the entire sample storage process. The total sample storage capacity reaches the million-sample level.
High-Caliber Team Strengthens the Quality Management System
The biobank has assembled a dedicated operations and management team with strong professional competence and outstanding operational capabilities. The team currently consists of eight staff members, all of whom possess extensive hands-on experience in sample processing, quality control testing, equipment operation and maintenance, and research support services. Several team members have obtained pre-employment training certificates and ISO 20387 internal auditor certificates, and all are thoroughly familiar with the relevant regulations, standards, and operating procedures governing biobanks.
Cao Hongcui, Director of the Biobank—a professor, doctoral advisor, and recipient of the Provincial “Ten Thousand Talents Plan”—is responsible for all aspects of the biobank’s operations, from strategic planning to day-to-day management. Shang Dandan, the Quality Manager, oversees the development and maintenance of the biobank’s systems, the planning and implementation of quality control measures, and the management of internal audits and reviews. Yi Yujia, the Technical Director, is responsible for the top-level design of the overall technical solution and the technical review of standard operating procedures. Team members Wang Xiao, Dong Xucheng, Ren Weibin, Yin Shulan, Yu Yating, and others each fulfill their respective roles in areas such as sample management, information operations and maintenance, and equipment management, working together to ensure the efficient operation of the biobank.
Comprehensive Services to Empower Research and Translation
Guided by the core development principles of “supporting scientific research and innovation, empowering regional development, and promoting resource sharing,” and adhering to the quality policy of “standardized operations, scientific management, continuous improvement, and integrity in service,” the biobank systematically integrates various types of biological sample resources and associated data resources. Currently, the biobank can collect and store a wide range of biological samples, including whole blood, serum, plasma, feces, urine, throat swabs, tongue coating, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, bacterial strains, and cells.
The sample bank has established a comprehensive scientific research service system covering the entire operational process, including sample pretreatment, nucleic acid extraction, quality control testing, and cryopreservation. It currently offers 14 types of professional services to the public. This public-benefit sample bank operates on a non-profit basis, and sample resources are shared free of charge. A fee to compensate for operational and maintenance costs will be charged for external applications; this fee is specifically used to cover expenses related to sample quality control, storage, aliquoting, dispensing, and the platform’s daily operations, with no profit generated. We welcome collaboration and exchange with colleagues from all sectors, including domestic and international research institutions, medical institutions, universities, and enterprises.
Starting from a New Beginning, Embarking on a New Journey
The authorization for the preservation of human genetic resources is a national access system designed to regulate strategic genetic resources and ensure biosafety; it also serves as the legal basis for the lawful operation of biological sample repositories. This approval will prompt the repository to further refine its ethical review, sample quality control, and traceability systems, protect the rights and interests of research participants, and establish a compliant pathway spanning sample preservation, scientific research, and the commercialization of research outcomes.
Moving forward, the Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory’s Biobank will strictly adhere to national laws, regulations, and administrative licensing requirements governing the management of human genetic resources. It will continue to optimize the full lifecycle management system for biological samples—encompassing “collection, processing, storage, use, and traceability”—while continuously enhancing standardized technical capabilities and service quality. The biobank is committed to fully meeting the demands for high-quality development in clinical research and making greater contributions to basic research and the commercialization of research outcomes in the field of microecological biomedicine.
Guided by the principles of openness, collaboration, and mutual benefit, the Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory warmly welcomes colleagues from research institutions, universities, hospitals, enterprises, and other organizations both domestically and internationally to engage in exchange and cooperation. We look forward to working with you to advance life sciences research and contribute our wisdom and efforts to the cause of human health.
Phone: 0531-81789604
Email: biobank@jnl.ac.cn
