On the occasion of World Volunteer Day, the biobank.cy Centre of Excellence of the University of Cyprus expresses its deep, sincere, and heartfelt appreciation to the 12,000 citizens who have so far voluntarily contributed biological material and medical information, supporting a project that aims not only to improve public health today but also the health of future generations.

These 12,000 individuals of all ages, genders, nationalities, communities, and regions of Cyprus have become the foundation upon which one of the most important research initiatives in the country is being developed.

Every DNA sample, every medical record, and every piece of information deposited in the Biobank is not just data. It is an act of altruism and a link in a chain of knowledge that enables researchers to:

• study genetic and rare diseases,

• identify hereditary risk factors,

• map the genetic identity of the Cypriot population,

• contribute to the prevention and early diagnosis of diseases,

• unlock new treatments and advance precision medicine.

This pioneering research project, funded by the European Commission, the Republic of Cyprus, and the University of Cyprus under Horizon 2020, continues to evolve thanks to the trust of volunteers.

As noted by the Deputy Director of the biobank.cy Centre of Excellence, Dr. Stavros Gravas, “the participation of the 12,000 volunteers is not just a number; it is proof that society can co-shape the future of science and health. Thanks to all of you, Cyprus is now at the forefront of research fields that address modern challenges. biobank.cy is our shared achievement and our legacy to future generations.”

Thanks to the public's voluntary participation in the Centre’s Biobank:

• the first findings regarding genetic diseases, characteristics, and DNA traits affecting the health of Cypriots at a population level have already begun to emerge,

• research is advancing on patients with hereditary forms of haematuria and Alport syndrome,

• hereditary kidney diseases present in Cyprus and affecting a significant number of citizens have been identified,

• hereditary cardiac diseases (HCD) are being systematically studied,

• the monitoring and genetic study of hundreds of patients of all ages with vision-related disorders is underway,

• research continues into the use of liquid biopsy as a prognostic biomarker in lung cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy,

• and many more initiatives are in progress.

On World Volunteer Day, the focus is on the people, those who give without expecting anything in return, who support without demanding, and who believe that science becomes stronger when it becomes the work of all.

biobank.cy could not exist without its volunteers. Their contribution is the driving force of its scientific mission. They extend sincere gratitude for the trust, generosity, and participation of every volunteer.

The public may contact the Centre at 77771838 or 22892815, via email at [email protected], or visit https://biobank.cy.