ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN BIOBANKS

partouche sharon PIAZZA Eleona roupsard francois

PRESENTAtion

Environmental Sustainability in Biobanks

start

Definition

What is a Biobank?

What Is environmental sustainability?

INTRODUCTION :

3 pillars of sustainability

Specific to biobanks

General sustainability

Our Team & Index

SHARON PARTOUCHE

INTRODUCTION NUMBERS a forgotten dimension ? case study and example CONCLUSION

ELEONAPIAZZA

FRANCOIS ROUPSARD

PROBLEMATIC

How can we, as future biobankers, reduce our environmental impact for a better sustainability ?

BIOBANKING NETWORK

non Exhaustive list of French, European & international network

LPCE

Let's talk about

NUMBERS

Raising activity of biobanks in research

Number of publications related to biobanking over time from the Pubmed Database

• Near-zero publications in 2001

• ≈ 2750 publications in 2020

DATA

78%

Of biobank research activity is in the human biobanking field

Publications about «biobanks» according to Pubmed

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HUMAN BIOBANKS WORLWIDE

UK Biobank Graz Biobank Estonian Biobank FinnGen IARC

Japan BiobankTaiwan Biobank Shangai Biobank CNGB

CanPath All of us across the USA

54gene Uganda Genome Resource H3Africa

A forgotten dimension ?

Specific to biobanks

General sustainability

A forgotten dimension ?

Research using PubMed

A forgotten dimension ?

Environmental sustainability and biobanking: a pilot study of the field G. Samuel, F. Hardcastlea and A.M. Lucassen, 2022

« lack of consistent metrics to assess such environmental impacts »

« health researchers using biobank data had little awareness about these issues »

« limited policies on environmental sustainability »

A forgotten dimension ?

Classes at the MSc Biobanks & Complex Data Management

CASE STUDY

Freezers: surge in their storage requirements

Domestic freezers

THERMOFISHER FREEZERS

≈354 kWh per year

≈2883 - 3175 kWh / year

FRENCH HOUSEHOLD

≈4679 kWh / year

CARLO ERBA FREEZERS

≈4745 kWh / year

Comparison of the energy consumption of the different devices

A forgotten dimension ?

Biobankers know how to reduce their environmental impact !

Standardization

Sample and data re-use

Rationalization

Room temperature storage

Green data storage

Biobanking

etc ...

A forgotten dimension ?

Standardization

Data re-use

Rationalization

New types of storage

Digitalization

CASE STUDY

Problems related to freezers

The lower the temperature, the more energy used

Energy consumption

empty space not used

highly temperature-controlled rooms

Built-in obsolescence

C02 emission

How to manage the waste?

SOLUTIONS ?

CASE STUDY : SOLUTIONS ?

NOW SOLUTIONS :Automated freezers

CASE STUDY : SOLUTIONS ?

From old refrigerators to brand new toys

We have quite high ambitions. Sustainability is a kind of fundamental orientation across our entire group of companies, including PLAYMOBIL. Our aim is to be climate neutral by 2027. Björn Seeger, Press Officer at the Horst Brändstatter Group

But is A POSSIBLE FUTURE APPLICATION FOR freezers ?

CONCLUSION

Some Improvements ?

ISO 14001

Specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance

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CONCLUSION

Some Improvements ?

Non environmental methods

Traceability

Post use application

Categorizing

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CONCLUSION

Some Improvements ?

Communicate

Monitoring

CONCLUSION

Our needs

Traceability

Monitoring

Accreditation

post use application

Your ideas ?

REFERENCES

• Lectures from MSc Biobanks and Complex Data Management

• https://learning.iarc.fr/biobanking/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/07/BBMRI.nl-report_Sustainable-biobanking-the-financial-dimension_IARC.pdfListe à puces
• https://www.bbmri-eric.eu
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8881066/
• https://www.hamiltoncompany.com/automated-sample-management/platforms/verso-q-series?utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=HST+%7C+Search+%7C+Verso+Q-Series&utm_term=sample%20freezer&hsa_tgt=kwd-1239794077106&hsa_grp=144789252900&hsa_mt=p&hsa_cam=19081120695&hsa_ver=3&hsa_src=g&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_kw=sample%20freezer&hsa_acc=3619911770&hsa_ad=671296427212&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxreqBhAxEiwAfGfndA-qCAd_vKD6mWunuDVArtrnJWDC6ze_BvyEesLtD0EUPGbm2zsdMhoC3WAQAvD_BwE
• https://www.renewi.com/en/about-renewi/innovate-together/playmobil-wiltopia
• https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental-management.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4150367/#:~:text=One%20definition%20of%20sustainability%20is,economy%2C%20environment%2C%20and%20society)

For additional information click on " " during the presentation

Quizz Time

Quizz Time

Thank you for your attention !

The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health

Canada’s largest population cohort study that allows researchers to explore how genetics, environment, lifestyle and behaviour interact and contribute to the development of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Estonian Biobank

The Estonian Biobank has established a population-based biobank of Estonia with a current cohort size of more than 200,000 individuals.

Mention :

Shanghai Mental Health Center Biobank

Shanghai Mental Health Center Biobank (Shanghai SJTUSM Biobank, No. 11) was established in 2012. It aims to build a large-scale sample resource bank with the largest number of mental disease categories in China and become a well-known mental disease sample bank in the world.

Search on : "Environmental Sustainability"

ISBER

International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories

ISBER is a global biobanking organization that creates opportunities for networking, education, and innovation. ISBER provides a community for harmonizing approaches to emerging challenges in repositories, as well as fostering ideas to create new solutions. Key elements of ISBER's activities include: creating educational and training opportunities; providing a forum for the dissemination of state-of-the-art policies, processes, and research findings; and showcasing innovative technologies, products, and services.

How we can categorize ?

Utilize Technology for Global Monitoring: - Implement advanced data analytics and technology solutions to monitor and categorize environmental impact globally. - Use satellite data, remote sensing, and other technologies to assess impacts across geographic boundaries.

Drop symbol

The water drop symbol in the context of sustainability often represents water or issues related to water management. It is often associated with water conservation initiatives, responsible water management, water use reduction or other measures to minimize the environmental impact of water use. Water is a valuable natural resource and its protection and sustainable use are crucial for sustainable development, which is why this symbol is used in the context of sustainable development.

Ideas for a better traceability

Create a mondial network

Global Biobank Registry: Develop a centralized, online registry that includes information on all registered biobanks worldwide. Include details such as location, focus areas, available specimens, and contact information.

"Les rencontres Toulousaines"

FACTS :

• Estimated lifespan of a freezer is 10 years
• Chose a freezer according to the need of the household
• American freezers/refrigerators consume 3 times more than a conventional refrigerator!
• Ventilated cold appliances do not need defrosting and distribute the cold better but they consume up to 30% more.
• A well-filled appliance will consume less than an empty appliance!

THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS CAN APPLY ASWELL TO PROFESSIONAL USE !!

Population Biobank

A population-based biobank collects biological data from an individual or group of individuals who may or may not have any kind of specific disease.

UK Biobank: An Open Access Population-Based Prospective Study of 500,000 Participants

How to improve the communication ?

Engage in Social Media Campaigns: Share regular updates on your environmental initiatives through social media platforms. Host Webinars: Organize webinars on various environmental topics, inviting experts to share insights.

1. Examples of how the research supported by the ERICs contribute to improving environmental sustainability, 2. examples of how ERICs tackle the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) addressing the environment, 3. examples of how scientific research is affected by environmental dynamics.

UK Biobank

UK Biobank is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource, containing in-depth genetic and health information from half a million UK participants. The database is regularly augmented with additional data and is globally accessible to approved researchers undertaking vital research into the most common and life-threatening diseases. It is a major contributor to the advancement of modern medicine and treatment and has enabled several scientific discoveries that improve human health.

Social

"The social dimension relates to the interaction and relationship a biobank has with different stakeholders. Examples are the contact a biobank has with its funders, donors, and users, the acceptability of biobanking to the general public, and the setting of standards of practice within the biobanking community. The social dimension involves all the ethical, legal, and societal issues that surround biobanking . Failing in the social dimension can lead to a loss of support by different key stakeholder groups, which is detrimental to the sustainability of an individual biobank and possibly the biobanking field is a whole."

IARC

International Agency for Reasearch on Cancer

General sustainability

"Environmental and economic sustainability combine to make everyone’s living conditions viable Environmental and social sustainability combine to make everyone’s living conditions bearable Economic and social sustainability combine to make everyone’s living conditions equitable = Sustainable living conditions require the intersection of all three facets."

https://sustainabilityscout.com/the-three-pillars-of-sustainability-explained/

Ultra-Low Freezers

China National GeneBank DataBase

China National GeneBank DataBase (CNGBdb) is a unified platform built for biological big data sharing and application services to the research community. Based on the big data and cloud computing technologies, it provides data services such as archive, analysis, knowledge search, management authorization, and visualization.

Operational

"The operational dimension involves all aspects related to a biobank’s input, internal, or output processes. In other words, it involves the collection, processing, and release of samples and data; the biobanks’ organisational and approval structures; access policies; risk and quality management; and standard operating procedures. Optimizing these processes and making them more efficient will contribute to a biobank’s sustainability."

Sun pictogram

The sun pictogram often symbolizes solar energy and environmentally friendly efforts. This represents the use of solar energy as a renewable energy source and promotes sustainability and clean energy initiatives. This symbol is often used to indicate the presence of solar panels, solar energy systems, or environmentally friendly initiatives. Its importance highlights the importance of harnessing solar energy to reduce environmental impact and dependence on fossil fuels.

Leaf

Leaf pictograms are often used to symbolize nature, environment, ecology, sustainability and eco-friendly products. It is often used to convey information about environmentally friendly practices, natural areas, green spaces, parks, organic products, conservation initiatives, etc.The leaf pictogram is a symbol that evokes concepts of nature, greenness, ecology and sustainability. Its use is often intended to raise awareness of environmental issues or highlight environmentally friendly products, places or actions.

The Global Biobank Meta-analysis Initiative (GBMI)

Aims to create a framework to jumpstart global biobank collaboration24 biobanks with different origins and ancestries have joined GBMI

Graz Biobank

Industrial zone

The industrial zone pictogram, in connection with sustainability, typically symbolizes environmentally friendly industrial practices, innovation in the field of sustainability, balanced economic development, and awareness of sustainable issues in the industrial context. Its use aims to indicate that efforts are being made to incorporate more environmentally and socially responsible practices in industrial activities, thereby contributing to the promotion of sustainable development.

Social

"The social dimension relates to the interaction and relationship a biobank has with different stakeholders. Examples are the contact a biobank has with its funders, donors, and users, the acceptability of biobanking to the general public, and the setting of standards of practice within the biobanking community. The social dimension involves all the ethical, legal, and societal issues that surround biobanking . Failing in the social dimension can lead to a loss of support by different key stakeholder groups, which is detrimental to the sustainability of an individual biobank and possibly the biobanking field is a whole."

Freedman LP, Cockburn IM, Simcoe TS (2015) The Economics of Reproducibility in Preclinical Research. PLoS Biol 13(6): e1002165.

Gasoline

Gasoline pictograms are often used to convey information about vehicle fuel availability and can indirectly relate to sustainability by highlighting the need for responsible fuel consumption and emissions reduction. Additionally, the use of alternative fuels, such as biofuels and electric vehicle charging stations, can be identified with different symbols, reflecting efforts to reduce the environmental impact of transportation and promote sustainability.

Recycling

Recycling pictograms are a commonly used graphic representation used to symbolize recycling and sustainable waste management practices. Usually it consists of three arrows forming a triangle and forming a circle. It represents the recycling process of collecting, processing and reusing materials rather than throwing them away. The pictogram is widely recognized and used to identify recycling collection points, recycling bins, recyclable products or initiatives to promote recycling and waste reduction. It is an important symbol of sustainable development, encouraging the reuse of materials and reducing environmental impact.

Uganda Genome Resource

The Uganda Genome Resource (UGR) is a well-characterized genomic database with a range of phenotypic communicable and non-communicable diseases and risk factors generated from the Uganda General Population Cohort (GPC)

More ideas ?

- Employee Training Programs: offer employee training programs on sustainable practices and environmental protection. When employees are engaged and informed, they can make a significant contribution overall environmental efforts. -Partnerships with Environmental Organizations: Collaborate with environmental organizations to stay informed about the latest sustainability practices and receive guidance for continuous improvement. -Carbon Footprint Tracking: Implement a system to monitor and reduce the carbon footprint of the biobank. This can involve tracking energy consumption, waste generation, and travel-related emissions.

ESBB research : "environmental" + "sustainability"

6 results found with only 1 with a 100% relevance

⚠️ ISSUES : - You have to register online to get access - To join you have subscription fees

Japan Biobank

In 2003, BioBank Japan (BBJ) started developing one of the world’s largest disease biobanks, creating a foundation for research aimed at achieving medical care tailored to the individual traits of each patient.

Samples stored in the freezers for a potential future use

Inefficient Use of Space

Issues : The spot of samples that are cleared and given to research can't be replaced with new samples.

Solution: - Implement a new storage system for the empty space to be filled - use ULT automated freezers

Empty space of samples given to research

Examples :

Host Webinars : Organize webinars on various environmental topics, inviting experts to share insights. Engage in Social Media Campaigns: Share regular updates on your environmental initiatives through social media platforms.

Bioresource Research Impact Factor (BRIF)

BRIF, aims to establish a system for identifying and allocating credits to researchers and institutions that develop and sustain biological resources used in biomedical research. Its mission is to raise awareness, promote appropriate recognition, and promote the responsible sharing of biomedical samples and information through tools such as CoBRA policy and the Open Journal of Biology (OJB). If widely implemented, the BRIF could have an important positive impact on the responsible use of bioresources and related datasets.

The CoBRA (Citation of BioResources in journal Articles) guideline & OJB (The Open Journal of Bioresources) Summary of the tools that contribute to the BRIF initiative

General sustainability

"Environmental and economic sustainability combine to make everyone’s living conditions viable Environmental and social sustainability combine to make everyone’s living conditions bearable Economic and social sustainability combine to make everyone’s living conditions equitable = Sustainable living conditions require the intersection of all three facets."

https://sustainabilityscout.com/the-three-pillars-of-sustainability-explained/

Taiwan Biobank

The Taiwan Biobank is a national scientific infrastructure providing the biomedical research community access to biological specimens and information collected from the general population of Taiwan. It is located in the National Biotechnology Research Park, Academia Sinica, Taipei City.

Energy consumption

for an automated freezer

For big biobanks with more than 40 freezers, the energy consumption would be more environmental-friendly with an automated freezer :

• One average freezer consume between 6.88 kWh and 20 kWh per day
• The BiOS averages a total daily consumption of 283.68 kWh

Allows storage of 100,000 to over 10 million biological samples

Outdated Equipment

Issue : - Tend to be less energy-efficient - Contributes to higher energy consumption !

Solution: - Upgrading to new and more energy-efficient freezer models ? - Have green disposal solutions through recycling programs

Energy use can be optimized

's numbers & solutions

Guidlines from BBMRI-ERIC

• Reduce door opening times

• Use all the freezer's capacity

• Use of racks: significantly reduces temperature fluctuations of the samples
• Regular de-icing
• Cleaning door seals for tight door closure

• Use of smaller tube volumes and smaller lids

Blood Biobank

A blood biobank is a specialized repository that collects, processes, and stores blood and blood-related samples, such as plasma, serum, and DNA, for medical and research purposes.

Blood Cancer Biobank - Ireland

Another ISO linked to environmental sustainability ?

ISO 50001

"The new ISO 50001 standard for energy management systems can help safeguard our future by making a positive difference in the here and now."

https://www.iso.org/iso-50001-energy-management.html

Organoid biobanks

"The growing need for personalized medicine for cancer patients has enhanced and optimized the production of living tumor organoids that have become optimal preclinical models for the discovery and screening of anticancer drugs. The systematic collection and storage of tumor organoids through the establishment of dedicated biobanks will represent a fundamental tool for cancer research and clinical trials." from Organoid biobanks as a new tool for pre-clinical validation of candidate drug efficacy and safety

Frankfurt Cancer Institut

Wind energy

In the context of sustainability and pictograms, wind turbines are often used as symbols of wind energy or wind energy technology. This pictogram symbolizes the use of wind energy to generate clean and renewable electricity. It is often used to identify wind turbines, wind farms, or wind energy-related initiatives that promote renewable energy and environmentally friendly practices. Wind energy is an important part of a sustainable energy mix and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Operational

"The operational dimension involves all aspects related to a biobank’s input, internal, or output processes. In other words, it involves the collection, processing, and release of samples and data; the biobanks’ organisational and approval structures; access policies; risk and quality management; and standard operating procedures. Optimizing these processes and making them more efficient will contribute to a biobank’s sustainability."

Ensuring the Safety and Security of Frozen Lung Cancer Tissue Collections through the Encapsulation of Dried DNA

Washetine, K.; Kara-Borni, M.; Heeke, S.; Bonnetaud, C.; Félix, J.-M.; Ribeyre, L.; Bence, C.; Ilié, M.; Bordone, O.; Pedro, M.; et al. Ensuring the Safety and Security of Frozen Lung Cancer Tissue Collections through the Encapsulation of Dried DNA. Cancers 2018, 10, 195. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers10060195

"This is a low-cost and safe technology that requires a limited amount of space and has a low environmental impact"

Solar panels

In the context of sustainability and pictograms, solar panels are often used to represent solar energy or renewable energy technologies in general. The pictogram symbolizes the use of clean and renewable energy sources such as solar energy to meet energy needs while reducing environmental impact. It is often used to label facilities or initiatives related to solar energy, energy sustainability and reducing carbon footprints, thereby promoting environmentally friendly practices and sustainable development.

Tissue Biobank

Facilitate access to human biological samples for research teams seeking high-quality biological material.

LPCE Biobank - http://www.biobank-cotedazur.fr

Green data center : repository for the storage, management and dissemination of data in which the mechanical, lighting, electrical and computer systems are designed to maximize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact.

Digital biobank

"Samples stored in these facilities are connected with electronic records from different areas that are assembled and may constitute the aggregation of big data, creating an opportunity to move beyond the use of population-level data for simple descriptive epidemiology to its use for making causal inferences." (From the article : Digital Biobanking and Big Data as a New Research Tool: A Position Paper)

https://www.boozallen.com/s/insight/publication/building-a-digital-biobank-for-air-force-medical-data.html

US military project

BBMRI, Austria

SEARCH RESULTS FOR "ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY" ON BBMRI-ERIC WEBSITE

Financial

"The financial dimension is concerned with a biobanks’ available resources and how these resources are generated and used. Aspects that are part of the financial dimension are a biobank’s business model, sources of funding, business plan, and offered products and services. Another financial aspect is costs, which is influenced by the efficiency of a biobank’s operational processes and therefore overlaps with the operational dimension. A biobank’s marketing, branding, and customer focus are all financial aspects related to the interaction with different stakeholders, and therefore overlap with the social dimension. Activities in the financial dimension all work towards creating a stable financial situation, which is necessary for sustainability. Stable is of course a relative term, and in this context it means that biobanks must try to achieve an adequate financial horizon that allows them to focus on long-term investments that support sustainability, rather than on shortterm ad-hoc actions"

ULT alternative: using professional biobanks

The use of fully automated -80°C storage systems

According to biobanks of the German Biobank Alliance (GBA), these require about one third less energy compared to conventional ULT

Financial

"The financial dimension is concerned with a biobanks’ available resources and how these resources are generated and used. Aspects that are part of the financial dimension are a biobank’s business model, sources of funding, business plan, and offered products and services. Another financial aspect is costs, which is influenced by the efficiency of a biobank’s operational processes and therefore overlaps with the operational dimension. A biobank’s marketing, branding, and customer focus are all financial aspects related to the interaction with different stakeholders, and therefore overlap with the social dimension. Activities in the financial dimension all work towards creating a stable financial situation, which is necessary for sustainability. Stable is of course a relative term, and in this context it means that biobanks must try to achieve an adequate financial horizon that allows them to focus on long-term investments that support sustainability, rather than on shortterm ad-hoc actions"

EuroBioBank

EuroBioBank is a unique network of biobanks that stores and distributes quality DNA, cell and tissue samples for scientists conducting research on rare diseases. The network consists of 25 RD biobanks located in 11 countries. It is the biobank network of RD-Connect. RD = rare disease

http://www.eurobiobank.org/

Other certifications ?

McGill University

https://www.mcgill.ca/sustainability/files/sustainability/11-109_biobanking_spf_jun21.pdf

HUMAN BIOBANK

Factors that contribute to the optimization of biobanks : - Consent, ethical, legal and social aspects - Research and development - Biorespository - Privacy and data protection - Patients engagement - Biospeciments -LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System)

Cells Biobank

A cell biobank, also called a cell bank or cell line repository, is a specialized facility that collects, stores, and distributes various types of cells, including human, animal, or plant cells, for scientific research or medical purposes. These biobanks store cell cultures under controlled conditions to ensure cell viability and quality over long periods of time. Researchers and medical professionals can access these cells for a variety of applications, including cellular and molecular research, drug development, disease modeling, regenerative medicine, and more.

Primary Airway Cell Biobank (PACB)

What is the best way to monitor our impact ?

Energy Consumption Monitoring: Install energy monitoring systems to track electricity and other energy consumption in real-time. Waste Management Systems: Analyze data to identify opportunities for waste reduction and recycling.

FINNGEN

FinnGen brings together the nation-wide network of Finnish biobanks

FinnGen is a large public-private partnership aiming to collect and analyse genome and health data from 500,000 Finnish biobank participants. FinnGen aims on one hand to provide novel medically and therapeutically relevant insights but also construct a world-class resource that can be applied for future studies.

Diverse temperature worldwide controlled with proper ventilation system

Issue : uncontrolled temperature can lead to overheating and increased energy usage

Solution : use probe to control the temperature

Presentation by Sipke Hiemstra, Director - Centre for Genetic Ressource, the Netherlands (CGN). See at 34m30.