A Memorandum of Cooperation signed at ICBBTM 2026 brings together four Slovak research infrastructures to strengthen national collaboration and connections with the European biomedical research community.
Four Slovak research infrastructures have formalised their commitment to closer collaboration through a Memorandum of Cooperation signed at the International Conference on Biobanking & Translational Medicine (ICBBTM 2026), held on 23–25 September in Martin, Slovakia.
The agreement brings together EATRIS-SK, BBMRI.sk, ELIXIR Slovakia and SLOVACRIN to encourage the exchange of expertise and technologies, better coordination and joint biomedical research initiatives. The memorandum was signed by Erika Halašová, National Director of EATRIS-SK; Zuzana Danková, National Director of BBMRI.sk; Tomáš Szemes, Chair of the ELIXIR Slovakia Board; and Miroslava Rabajdová, representing SLOVACRIN.
“I personally see the signing of the memorandum as a natural culmination of our cooperation to date and, at the same time, an opportunity to further develop the potential offered by our partners,” said Erika Halašová, National Director of EATRIS-SK.
 |
 |
Connecting complementary research capabilities
The four infrastructures bring together expertise spanning the biomedical research pathway, from biological samples and data to translational research and clinical studies.
BBMRI.sk supports biobanking and access to biological samples and associated data, while ELIXIR Slovakia provides expertise in biological data management and bioinformatics. EATRIS-SK contributes capabilities in translational medicine, helping advance scientific discoveries towards clinical applications, and SLOVACRIN connects Slovakia’s clinical research community with the European infrastructure ECRIN.
As highlighted by Zuzana Danková, National Director of BBMRI.sk and initiator of the memorandum, in the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine’s coverage of the agreement, the partnership aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise, experience and technologies, while opening opportunities for new research projects and scientific discoveries.
The initiative also received support from the Slovak Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth. Ján Kočišek, Senior State Counsellor, emphasised the importance of partnerships in translating research results into better diagnostics, treatment and prevention.
ICBBTM 2026: Bringing European biomedical research communities together
The memorandum was signed during the opening of ICBBTM 2026, jointly organised by EATRIS-SK and BBMRI.sk at the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava.
The three-day conference welcomed more than 200 participants and nearly 50 experts from Slovakia and across Europe. Its scientific programme covered biobanking, biomarkers, personalised medicine, oncology, regenerative medicine, artificial intelligence and emerging therapeutic approaches.
Contributors included Jens K. Habermann, Director General of BBMRI-ERIC, and Nektarios Liaskos, Data Strategy Manager at EATRIS ERIC. EATRIS National Directors Irena Mlinaric-Rascan (Slovenia) and Marian Hajduch (Czech Republic) also shared their experiences in developing national research infrastructure capabilities and international partnerships.
The conference also supported early-career researchers through its Young Scientist Awards and a new collaboration with INOVIA to encourage innovative research ideas. Activities connected to European Researchers’ Night opened research facilities to students and the public, bringing biomedical research closer to society.
Irena Mlinaric-RascanNational Director of EATRIS Slovenia |
Marian HajduchNational Director of EATRIS Czech Republic |
Nektarios LiaskosEATRIS Data Strategy Manager |
Building on collaboration for future impact
The memorandum reflects a growing commitment among national research infrastructures to work together and make better use of their complementary capabilities. This cooperation is already reflected in three ongoing research projects involving institutions and researchers from the participating infrastructure networks. NEVADA, led by the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, is developing an AI-based diagnostic device for the early, non-invasive detection of pancreatic cancer, bringing together expertise associated with EATRIS, BBMRI and SLOVACRIN. INHALE explores innovative lung cancer screening through machine learning and genomic analysis of exhaled breath condensate, involving researchers affiliated with ELIXIR and EATRIS. Meanwhile, CoRE (Clinical Research Centres of Excellence) brings together expertise from the SLOVACRIN and EATRIS communities to strengthen clinical research capabilities.
“It is encouraging to see national nodes of European research infrastructures building stronger connections and working more closely together. Such local and regional partnerships are essential for responding to current and future research needs, bringing together expertise and resources to achieve more than any one organisation could alone. EATRIS has actively supported this approach for several years, including through dedicated schemes developed under our European Commission funded projects, such as EATRIS-CONNECT, to encourage networking and joint initiatives between research infrastructures in our member countries. We hope to see many more collaborations like this taking shape across Europe,” said Eliis Keidong, Member Engagement Officer at EATRIS ERIC.
As one of the conference’s key outcomes, the memorandum demonstrates how international scientific events can lead to lasting partnerships beyond their scientific programmes. ICBBTM 2026 provided a platform not only for exchanging knowledge, but also for establishing closer cooperation between Slovakia’s biomedical research community and its European partners.
- Conference highlights and the photo gallery are available at www.icbbtm.com.
- Learn more about EATIRS Slovakia here.
- Learn more about the EATRIS-CONNECT project here.
