From Biological Collections to Solutions: The Vital Role of Biobanking in One Health and Global Health

Biological collections, preserved in biobanks, serve as a valuable source of high-quality specimens and associated data—essential resources for innovation and translational research in both One Health and Global Health. These collections play a crucial role in understanding unique health determinants and improving outcomes for both infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Recent studies have highlighted the potential of biobanking in managing infectious diseases, identifying genetic markers for chronic conditions, and advancing precision medicine. In the realm of infectious diseases, biological collections—comprising samples from organisms, tissues, and other biological materials—offer an invaluable source of scientific data. They enable the identification and monitoring of pathogens, as well as the characterization of vectors and reservoirs critical to human and animal health. These resources support early outbreak detection, track the spread of resistance to therapeutic agents, and reveal epidemiological patterns. Furthermore, they help elucidate the complex interactions between ecological systems and public health, reinforcing their essential role in surveillance through a One Health approach.

This Research Topic seeks to address the underutilization and limited awareness of biological collections and biobanking in One Health and Global Health research. By showcasing recent advancements and emphasizing their vast potential, we aim to foster greater recognition and collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and institutions. Harnessing the full power of biological collections and biobanking will be key to tackling One Health challenges, developing targeted interventions, and implementing strategic solutions for global health improvement.

To gather further insights in the utilization and impact of biological collections and biobanking in One health research, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Biobanking and Infectious Diseases: the role of biobanking in managing and controlling infectious diseases, including standard procedures for sample collection, storage, and resource sharing.
- Biobanking and Chronic Diseases: the role of biobanking to manage chronic diseases and identify genetic or environmental factors.
- Biobanking and Precision Medicine: the application of biobanking in precision medicine, focusing on genetic data, biomarkers, and clinical samples.
- Ethical and Legal Considerations: ethical and legal frameworks surrounding biological collections and biobanking in research, emphasizing informed consent, privacy, data sharing, and benefit-sharing with local communities and protection of biodiversity.
- Collaborations and Networks in Research: highlight the importance of collaborative networks among researchers, institutions, and stakeholders in optimizing the potential of biological collections for the research on One health, showcasing successful partnerships and data-sharing initiatives.
- Case Studies and Success Stories: present case studies and success stories that demonstrate the practical applications and positive outcomes of using biological collections and biobanking activities in research on One health.

Keywords: Tropical health, Biological collections, Biobanks, Biological Resource Centres, Biomarkers, Precision medicine

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.