BBMRI-ERIC Podcast

Cancer is an increasingly urgent public health challenge in many Middle-Income Countries (MICs), where health systems face constrained resources. Strengthening cancer research and regulatory frameworks requires not only technical capacity, but also inclusive, participatory approaches that meaningfully engage patients and communities. In this ELSI Dialogue we addressed the core question of how we can design regulation in order to protect patients while also giving them a meaningful role in research decision making?This webinar, recorded in September 2026, brought together experts from selected Middle-Income Countries to explore how participatory models can enhance the effectiveness of oncology research and decision-making. Maria Theodoridou is a secretary of the Board of directors of ELLOK, the Hellenic Cancer Federation, representing 52 organisations of cancer patients in Greece. She is also president of the Cancer Patient Support Association: Living Well with Cancer in Heraklion, Crete. Professor Ana Paula Myszczuk is professor in the Program in Planning and Public Governance and head of the Intellectual Property Division of the Federal University of Technology in Parana, Brazil, and at the Open University of Brazil.During the discussion, the experts shared their knowledge about the challenges in their respective countries but also general barriers and opportunities on the path towards more active patient participation in cancer research.You can also watch the webinar recording on Youtube.More BBMRI-ERIC ELSI recordings and educational resourcesStay informed with our ELSI Dialogues and webinars. Upcoming events are advertised on our events page. For more BBMRI-ERIC educational resources, visit our BBMRI-ERIC academy page.This webinar is supported by the canSERV project, which aims to deliver cutting-edge cancer research services to scientists across EU member states, associated countries, and beyond. canSERV is funded by the EU.

“In a changing world where we have so many challenges, we need to learn to listen to other disciplines and to move forward together…that is important to create impact.”Welcome to the third, and last, episode related to BBMRI at the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting that took place from 28 June to 3 July in Germany.You’ll meet Professor Andrea Winkler who shares her expertise in One Health to bring a deeper understanding of the concept. At Lindau, BBMRI-ERIC hosted a panel session to discuss ‘The Role of International Infrastructure in Fostering One Health Through Big Data and AI’.Professor Winkler took part in the panel that was a prime opportunity to address with young scientists how large infrastructures, like BBMRI with its focus on biobanking and sensitive health data, can play a major role in One Health datasets and research. Andrea is a neuroscientist and a specialist neurologist, at TUM University Hospital, and the co(joint)-Director of the Center for Global Health at the School of Medicine and Health, at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. Her special academic interests lie with Global Health, Global Brain Health and One Health and their application to different fields. She also co-chair’s The Lancet One Health Commission.Read more: BBMRI-ERIC: https://www.bbmri-eric.euThe Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting: https://www.lindau-nobel.org/current-meeting/BBMRI-ERIC at the meeting: https://www.bbmri-eric.eu/news-events/bbmri-eric-hosts-a-panel-on-the-role-of-international-infrastructure-in-fostering-one-health-through-big-data-and-ai-at-75th-lindau-nobel-laureate-meeting/Lancet One Health: https://lancetonehealth.org/about/commissioners/andrea-sylvia-winkler/Panellist biographies: https://www.bbmri-eric.eu/wp-content/uploads/bbmri_panel_biographies.pdf 

“When you give it your best shot and you think you overcome this barrier and you haven't. You just have to say, well, damn it, I'm going to do it anyway or die trying.”This episode brings you an interview with Professor Charles Rice, The Rockefeller University, conducted by Dr Carina Vieira, University of Porto. IIt’s not often you get to hear a conversation between a scientist at the start of their career and a scientist who has been awarded a Nobel Prize.Charles received the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work focused on conducting the basic science to discover the hepatitis C virus (HCV), his team’s study of the HCV genome and constructing the first infectious clone of HCV that has led to the development of highly successful treatments of the virus.Carina is a researcher at the Pharmaceutical Sciences department at the University of Porto. She joined hundreds of promising early-career scientists at the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting that took place from 28 June to 3 July in Germany. BBMRI-ERIC sponsored Carina’s participation in the meeting as part of our commitment to supporting emerging talent and ideas driving future scientific breakthroughs. The conversation took place right after a BBMRI-ERIC panel on ‘The Role of International Infrastructure in Fostering One Health Through Big Data and AI’. Both Charles and Carina were panellists. Read more: BBMRI-ERIC: https://www.bbmri-eric.euThe Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting: https://www.lindau-nobel.org/current-meeting/BBMRI-ERIC at the meeting: https://www.bbmri-eric.eu/news-events/bbmri-eric-hosts-a-panel-on-the-role-of-international-infrastructure-in-fostering-one-health-through-big-data-and-ai-at-75th-lindau-nobel-laureate-meeting/Panellist biographies: https://www.bbmri-eric.eu/wp-content/uploads/bbmri_panel_biographies.pdf Professor Charles Rice profile: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2020/rice/facts/Episode 43 with Carina Vieira: https://www.bbmri-eric.eu/news-events/new-podcast-episode-dr-carina-vieira-lindau-nobel-laureate-young-scientist/

Cancer survivorship is rapidly emerging as a central dimension of contemporary oncology, reflecting not only advances in early detection and treatment but also the growing recognition of survivors as key stakeholders in research, policy, and care design.In alignment with the objectives of the EU Mission on Cancer, which aims to improve the lives of more than 3 million people affected by cancer by 2030, this webinar places cancer survivors at the core of a multidisciplinary dialogue on research governance, ethical responsibility, and patient rights.Held in proximity to Cancer Survivors Day, which is observed internationally and this year will be celebrated on June 7, 2026, the event will explore how survivorship challenges reshape the research agenda across the entire cancer continuum.Beyond clinical outcomes, cancer survivors face long-term physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences, including barriers to employment, insurance, and full societal participation. These realities raise critical questions about equity, data use, informed consent, and the fair distribution of innovation.Bringing together some cancer survivors, expert advocates and a bioethicist, the webinar examines how lived experience can and should inform regulatory frameworks, research priorities, and ethical standards. Particular attention will be paid to the role of survivors in co-creating research, the governance of health data within the evolving European regulatory landscape, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies in oncology.We believe in a more inclusive, participatory, and ethically grounded model of cancer research, which recognizes survivors not merely as subjects of study, but as agents of change within the European cancer ecosystem.Speakers:Virginia Sanchini (Assistant Professor of bioethics, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Italy; Visiting Professor, Center for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium)Maria Theodoridou (Secretary of the Board of Directors of ELLOK Hellenic Cancer Federation and President of the Cancer Patient Support Association “Living well with Cancer” in Heraklion, Crete)Richard Stephens (cancer survivor, co-Chair of the UK’s national research group into Living Well with and beyond Cancer)Merel Hennink (Secretary of the Board of Cancer Patients Europe, expert advocate)Moderators: Dr. Melanie Goisauf (BBMRI-ERIC), Dr. Zisis Kozlakidis (IARC/WHO)This webinar is offered by ELSI Services & Research Department at BBMRI-ERIC.

“Being selected for something like this, it’s like being told that what you are doing matters and you belong to this conversation.”Introducing Dr. Carina Vieira, a researcher at the Pharmaceutical Sciences department at the University of Porto. Carina will join hundreds of promising early-career scientists at the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting taking place from 28 June to 3 July in Germany.Selected as one of this year's Young Scientists and sponsored by BBMRI-ERIC, she will spend a week exchanging ideas with Nobel Laureates and fellow researchers from around the world. It is an opportunity that recognises the work she is doing as an emerging researcher.Carina’s research focuses on the development of innovative laboratory tools to study human drug metabolism. Through this work, she hopes to advance more efficient and sustainable methods for developing new medicines.In today's episode, Carina discusses her work, reflects on her journey so far and discusses the challenges and opportunities facing young researchers today.Further reading:   Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting: https://www.lindau-nobel.org/current-meeting/  

These episodes aim to give you insights from the congress that took place in Prague from 19-22 May 2026.This episode, recorded on 21st May, delves into the International Society of Oncology and Biomarkers (ISOBM) who organised a session called ‘oncology insights. It highlighted the possibilities of cross-disciplinary collaboration across oncology biobanks, pathology, radiology and molecular medicine with a focus on biobank management and biomarker discovery.The session was co-chaired by Stefan Holdenreider, President of ISOBM and Director of the Institute of Laboratory Medicine at Munich’s TUM University Hospital German Heart Center. Stefan discusses the work of ISOBM, collaboration with BBMRI-ERIC and why biomarkers are so important for better cancer outcomes. Links:ISOBM: https://www.isobm.orgTUM University Hospital German Heart Center: https://www.deutsches-herzzentrum-muenchen.de/en/Europe Biobank Week: https://www.europebiobankweek.euBBMRI-ERIC: https://www.bbmri-eric.euESBB: https://esbb.org

These episodes aim to give you insights from the congress that took place in Prague from 19-22 May 2026.This episode, recorded on 21 May, introduces you to Aneta Tyszkiewicz who is Director, Science and Regulatory at the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). They represent the R&D-based pharmaceutical industry in Europe. Aneta leads EFPIA’s policy and advocacy on data, real-world evidence and emerging technologies, including biotechnologies.Her work focuses on advancing the digital transformation of healthcare in Europe to enable the development of innovative, trusted solutions that deliver tangible benefits for patients.Aneta’s keynote was titled ‘From scientific excellence to industrial leadership: Strengthening Europe’s attractiveness for research and innovation through the EU Biotech Act’. Listen to this interview to hear why the Act has the potential to unlock Europe’s biotechnology research potential, support new patient therapies and why it is relevant for the biobanking community.Links:EFPIA: https://www.efpia.euEurope Biobank Week: https://www.europebiobankweek.euBBMRI-ERIC: https://www.bbmri-eric.euESBB: https://esbb.org

This episode, recorded on 21st May, is handled by two speakers from the EP PerMed session. The European Partnership for Personalised Medicine panel was a discussion between stakeholders on the process of returning to people data coming from genetic/genomic studies. This is important for good research practice, people engagement, willingness to share health data and enhancing public trust in science. These episodes aim to give you insights from the congress taking place in Prague from 19-22 May 2026.EBW is jointly organised between BBMRI-ERIC and ESBB and unites over 750 biobankers, researchers, industry specialists and decision makers from across the life sciences.Links:EP PerMed: https://www.eppermed.euHelsinki Biobank: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/infrastructures/biobank-platform/services-and-infrastructures/helsinki-biobankRadboud Biobank: https://www.radboudumc.nl/en/research/technology-centers/radboud-biobankEurope Biobank Week: https://www.europebiobankweek.euBBMRI-ERIC: https://www.bbmri-eric.euESBB: https://esbb.org

This Europe Biobank Week Congress mini-series is part of the BBMRI-ERIC Podcast. These episodes aim to give you glimpses into the congress taking place in Prague from 19-22 May 2026.  EBW is jointly organised between BBMRI-ERIC and ESBB and unites over 750 biobankers, researchers, industry specialists and decision makers from across the life sciences. This episode, recorded on 20th May, introduces you to Professor Joacim Rocklöv - a globally recognised expert in climate change, infectious diseases, and data science. He is an Alexander von Humboldt Professor at Heidelberg University with a focus on the modelling of climate-sensitive infectious diseases.Joacim heads the Heidelberg Planetary Health Hub leading his team to conduct research to advance health surveillance, pandemic preparedness, and data-driven solutions to global health challenges.He delivered our first keynote and it was titled ‘How is climate change affecting infectious disease dynamics across Europe’. This interview picks up on some of the key issues.Links:Heidelberg Planetary Health Hub: https://hei-planet.comEurope Biobank Week: https://www.europebiobankweek.euBBMRI-ERIC: https://www.bbmri-eric.euESBB: https://esbb.org

This Europe Biobank Week Congress mini-series is part of the BBMRI-ERIC Podcast. These episodes aim to give you glimpses into the congress taking place in Prague from 19-22 May 2026.  EBW is jointly organised between BBMRI-ERIC and ESBB and unites over 750 biobankers, researchers, industry specialists and decision makers from across the life sciences. This year there are 104 oral and 155 poster presentations covering the latest scientific topics – see the programme at europebiobankweek.eu.  This episode, recorded on 19 May, explores including patients and the public in biobanking at all stages of collection and research. Let's meet our expert, Eric Vermeulen, who will share those insights.  Links:Stakeholder Forum Patient and Public Pillar: https://www.bbmri-eric.eu/stakeholder-forum/Europe Biobank Week: https://www.europebiobankweek.euBBMRI-ERIC: https://www.bbmri-eric.euESBB: https://esbb.org