GGBN Conference 2025/Program

Program

Download GGBN 2025 Program and Abstract Book

Most of the presentations are now available through the GGBN Document Library as open access docs, some are available in the library only. Links are provided below. Presentations with restricted access can be located on the Document Library under the Category “GGBN Conferences,” Subcategory “GGBN 2025 Conference". Please contact library@ggbn.org to request a library account.

Day 1 – 29 September 2025

(times to be confirmed)	Excursion to Boulders Beach
18:00 - 29:00	GGBN Ice Breaker

Day 2 – 30 September 2025

08:00 - 08:45	Registration opens
08:45 - 09:00	Welcome by SANBI Management
09:00 - 09:30	Keynote Address: The Global Biodiversity Framework as a Context for Sustainable Biodiversity Biobanks in South Africa - Prof. Michelle Hamer
09:30 - 11:00	Session 2.1 Lightning Talks for Participating Biobanks Chairs - Katie Barker and Jonas Astrin This session provides participants the opportunity to share information on theirbiobanks / molecular collections, including facilities and infrastructure,interoperability, address issues related to long-term sustainability, address challenges around sample and data quality. Use cases can be presented, or experiences shared about biobank planning, repository relocation, etc. For this conference, African biobanks are particularly encouraged to introduce themselves, but of course any biobank is welcome.
	Biobanking for Biodiversity: Processes, Access, and Applications - Francinah Keneilwe Mosupye
	Coral Hospitals as Biobanking Centers: Insights from the NMMBA Model as a Strategic Response to Global Warming and Climate Change - Chiahsin Lin
	ARC-Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plant in Vitro and Seed Genebank Collections: Safeguarding Crop Diversity - Lindiwe Mokgakane
	Safeguarding citrus diversity - Elize Jooste
	Building plant repositories for biodiversity research and conservation. A case of Tooro Botanical Gardens, Uganda - Mutegeki Alislam Said Musa
	A review of biobanking activities for plant biodiversity in Rwanda - Pascal Sibomana
	Preserving Aquatic Biodiversity: The Role of the NRF-SAIAB Biobank in Addressing Conservation and Research Gaps - Seshnee Pillay
	Improving Sample Management at the NHM Biobank - Heather Avrili
	Beyond the biobank laboratory, showcasing game capture operation to acquire biological samples - Nkotasi Mnisi
	Biobank for biodiversity: The SANParks Veterinary Wildlife Biobank - Zinhle Manda
	Genomic Infrastructure for Chile: Design and Establishment of a Biobank through the 1000 Chilean Genomes Project - Juliana Vianna De Abreu
11:00 - 11:30	Tea Break
11:30 - 13:00	Session 2.2 Biodiversity Rich Regions of the World Chair - Puseletso Johnston This session will explore the complex challenges and ethical dilemmas associated with biobanking in biodiversity-rich regions, with a particular focus on Africa. As one of the most biologically diverse continents, Africa holds vast genetic resources that are vital for scientific research, conservation, and innovation in healthcare and agriculture. However, biobanking in these regions is fraught with challenges, including regulatory gaps, resource constraints, and issues surrounding access, benefit-sharing, and indigenous knowledge protection.
	Hidden Biodiversity: Zoos and Aquariums as Gateways to Conservation Science - Anna Mekarska
	Biobanking in Mexico: Current Status & Perspectives - Gilberto Ocampo
	1KSA - Decoding South Africa’s Biodiversity - Shane Murray
	Inventory and sorting of the microbial collections in the Biobank of the Institut Pasteur de Côte d'Ivoire - Kouame Ambroise Kintossou
	South African Rhizobium Culture Collection a Biobank for Future Food Biosecurity - Francina Bopape
	Saving South Africa’s Seeds: Natures Time Capsules, Preserved for Future Generations - Victoria Wilman
13:00 - 13:45	Lunch Break - Lunch Talk: Avantor - Sandra Krause
13:45 - 15:15	Session 2.3 Botanical Biobanking Chair - Anurag Dhyani As global biodiversity faces increasing threats, preserving plant genetic resources has become a critical priority. This session will focus on the essential methods for conserving plant diversity through seed banking, plant DNA and tissue banking, pollen and spore banking, cryopreservation, and the management of living collections. Experts will discuss the latest advancements in these areas, highlighting the importance of proper collection, storage, and management techniques to ensure the long-term viability of plant species. The session will also explore emerging technologies, strategies for sustainability, and the ethical considerations in plant conservation efforts.
	Plant & lichen biobanking in central Mexico - Gilberto Ocampo
	Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the State University of Campinas – Brazil - Ilio Montanari
	Characterizing Brassica biobanks and pre-breeding in B. juncea for climate resilient oilseed sustainability in India - Mahesh Rao'
	Harnessing Indian Mustard B. juncea Diversity using Integrative Omics Approach to Decipher White Rust Disease Resistance - Ashish Kumar Gupta
	Optimizing Plant Biobank Sustainability: Technical and Funding Strategies at the Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre - Marcos Castellanos-Uribe
15:15 - 15:30	Tea Break
15:30 - 17:30	Session 2.4 Special Session: Publication Chair - Jonas Astrin In this mini-session featuring a single talk we will hear, by the editor-inchief, about the Biopreservation and Biobanking (BIO) journal, about its scope and possible article types. While being the official ISBER journal, BIO is open to all kinds of publications with a biobanking and sample preservation context and is a suitable publication medium for manuscripts related to GGBN topics. Opportunities to publish content presented at the current meeting will be specifically highlighted.
	Why Publish in Biopreservation and Biobanking? - Marianna Bledsoe
	Session 2.5 Poster Seesion Chair - Katie Barker The poster session offers delegates an opportunity to engage with the breadth of research and innovation represented at the Joint Biobanks Conference. All accepted posters will be on display, showcasing work across every thematic track. Attendees are encouraged to review the posters at their own pace, interact directly with authors, and exchange ideas that spark future partnerships. This informal, highly interactive session is designed to highlight diverse perspectives, celebrate achievements, and foster networking across the biobanking community.
	GGBN General Assembly Meeting

More Conference Information

GGBN Conference 2023

• Accomodation
• Organizing Team
• Overview
• Program