BBMRI.nl

About BBMRI.nl

BBMRI.nl aims to maximize the use of biosamples, images and data for health research on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease in The Netherlands. In order to do so, BBMRI.nl provides: 1) access to biosamples, images and data, 2) tools to capture, integrate and analyse data, and 3) support on ethical, legal and societal implications. This is done with active participation of donors, citizens and patientsBBMRI.nl ensures that all developed resources are available in a Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) way.

BBMRI.nl is the Dutch National Node of BBMRI-ERIC: a European research infrastructure for biobanking that brings together the main players of the biobanking field - researchers, biobankers, industry, and patients - to boost biomedical research.

Visit the BBMRI.nl website for more information.

Ensuring operational excellence and providing data expertise

Six integrative Work Packages within BBMRI.nl each serve one or more parts of the strategy. Lygature was appointed to lead WP1 and to contribute to three, namely WP4, WP5 and WP6. 

On behalf of Lygature, Tieneke Schaaij-Visser represents one of the WP-leaders managing the organisation, finances, communication, and collaborative activities within WP1 for BBMRI.nl. Lygature was granted this responsibility because of its experience with complex projects and its proven ability to manage the broader requirements of research, ranging from communications to legal issues. Lygature takes action in the following areas within BBMRI.nl:

• Program management. Lygature handles day-to-day operations including administrative and financial roles. It is responsible for all communications, and assists the SEC in coordinating, managing and monitoring the program on a day-to-day basis.
• Enabler of the biobank infrastructure. Lygature brings together the experts who build and implement the Dutch National Biobank Infrastructure. Aligning these processes allows for linkage of biobanks and clinical registries with the aim to promote secondary use of available samples and data for scientific research. Optimized tools are the request portal Podium and the Catalogue for sample and data collections.
• IT Infrastructure, support and access. Expertise acquired during the TraIT project has been pivotal in addressing data management, using proven solutions for multi-site data sharing and analysis.
• Facilitation of the Patient and Public Advisory Council (PPAC; Maatschappelijke Adviesraad Biobankonderzoek). The PPAC ensures the roles, interests, concerns and needs of patients and the pubic in biobank research and advices regarding its ethical and public aspects. Lygature actively enables the work of the PPAC by organizing its meetings, providing secretarial services, and promoting its work.
• Communications. Lygature disseminates information to internal project partners and externally - to the wider research community and general public. This includes maintenance of and posting on the project website, creating and mailing of newsletters and overall PR. Regular meetings with all WP leaders help to ensure the proper coordination of the project and that Lygature communicates efficiently in order to address emerging issues.
• Health-RI. Health-RI is the Dutch national initiative aiming to facilitate and stimulate an integrated health data infrastructure accessible for researchers, citizens and care providers. BBMRI.nl is one of its initiators, and Lygature is participating in its development. 

Lygature’s role within BBMRI.nl demonstrates the wide range of different skills on offer to academics and commercial organizations. The project demands expertise in operational management, data management, regulatory issues, societal engagement, finance, and science. Importantly, Lygature is also playing an active ongoing role in promoting further improvements of research infrastructure.

Lygature together with