[Japanese Biobanks: Current Status, Problems, and Future Challenges]

Abstract

A biobank is a facility that collects and manages biological specimens such as tissues, cells, and blood de- rived from living organisms. In addition to these materials, the biobank can also be used for storing urine, body fluid, DNA, and intracellular structures like exosomes. The initial objective of stocking these materials was mainly for research purposes, such as searching for biomarkers and genes responsible for diseases, but due to the rapid clinical application of molecular-targeted therapy and personalized medicine based on genetic information, biobanking is now becoming one of the fundamental efforts indispensable for clinical practice. In Japan, the importance of stocks of biological samples has been recognized for a long time, and biobanking was implemented in various medical institutions alone or in several medical departments, but recently the organization of biobanks has been developed and they are carrying out activities according to each purpose. 1. Biobank as a national project Biobank, Japan 2. National Center Biobank Network NCBN 3. Biobanks operated by each institution other than those mentioned above As a part of Japan's research strategy, the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) has promoted the "Genomic medicine realization project", and the construction of medical biobanks is one of the major projects in the strategy. In this special issue, the current status of biobanks is introduced and problems and future challenges as a national project are discussed.