From April 21 to 23, the 2026 ISBER Global Biobank Congress, one of the world’s leading conferences on biobanking, was held at the BGI Center, the BGI Group global headquarters, in Shenzhen, China. This marks the ISBER annual meeting’s return to China following its previous convening in Shanghai, and its first time being held in Shenzhen.

The event brought together academic experts and industry leaders from over 20 countries to address the evolving landscape of biological and environmental repositories. Under the theme "Global Collaboration for Advanced Technology and Innovation," the three-day event centered on how cross-border synergy can accelerate the development of biobanking standards and technological breakthroughs.

The event was co-hosted by the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) and the Biobank Branch of the China Medicinal Biotech Association (BBCMBA) and was organized by BGI-Research.

Jason Chen, Conference Co-Chair and ISBER Director-at-Large for China, and Deb Leiolani Garcia, Conference Co-Chair, opening the proceedings with a call for deeper strategic synergy and international cooperation.

Jason Chen, Conference Co-Chair and ISBER Director-at-Large for China, delivers his opening remarks. (Credit: 2026 ISBER Global Biobank Congress)

Deb Leiolani Garcia, Conference Co-Chair, addresses the audience during the opening ceremony. (Credit: 2026 ISBER Global Biobank Congress)

Dr. Xun Xu, Chief Researcher of BGI Group, extended his appreciation to the international community for their long-term support of China’s biobanking sector, and credited the international collaboration as a key driver of China’s progress. He observed that this momentum is the result of a dual focus: the adoption of ISBER’s global standards and the pressing requirement for sophisticated systems to manage the immense volume of biological data generated by China’s expanding life sciences landscape.

BGI Group Chief Researcher Dr. Xu Xun speaks during the congress opening. (Credit: 2026 ISBER Global Biobank Congress)

As the focus of the industry shifts toward maximizing the utility of biological assets, Dr. Xin Jin, Chief Scientist of the Institute of Precision Health Research at BGI-Research, delivered a keynote on the Human Genome Project II (HGP2) during the contributed paper sessions.

Dr. Jin revisited the pivotal contributions of Chinese scientists, including the BGI, to the Human Genome Project, where they sequenced approximately one percent of the human genome. He outlined BGI’s commitment to deepening international collaboration through cutting-edge technologies like single-cell and spatio-temporal sequencing. “Our aim is to ensure continued success for the worldwide community, fostering global collaboration and well-being,” he concluded.

Dr. Jin Xin, Chief Scientist of the Institute of Precision Health Research, BGI-Research, shares his keynote perspective. (Credit: 2026 ISBER Global Biobank Congress)

At its core, biobanking is an indispensable engine for precision medicine, multi-omics, and drug discovery. ISBER is the only global organization that addresses scientific, technical, legal, and ethical issues for biobanks and biorepositories. Hosting this year’s Congress provided a unique opportunity to bridge global expertise with local innovation here in Shenzhen. BGI Group is honored to have facilitated this dialogue, offering a platform where diverse perspectives could converge to tackle the field's most pressing challenges.

The path ahead for biobanking is one of shared progress. BGI Group remains a committed partner in this journey, contributing its technological expertise to enhance the accessibility and utility of sample resources worldwide. Through continuous innovation and a commitment to open science, BGI Group looks forward to a future of sustained collaboration with the international community to advance global health and well-being.