On Tuesday, June 10th, the biobank.cy Centre of Excellence of the University of Cyprus opened its doors to more than 90 elementary school students, offering a unique experience as part of the “Open Lab Days” initiative. During their visit, the children were introduced to biomedical research, engaged in interactive activities, and had the opportunity to converse with and be inspired by scientists working to improve public health in Cyprus.

The “Open Lab Days” initiative is part of the “Mission Possible: Researchers on Board for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future” project, which is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF). The Centre’s participation highlights its commitment to promoting education, fostering a scientific culture, and showcasing the importance of research and innovation.

Specifically, students from Engomi A’ Primary School and Alambra Primary School were given guided tours of the Centre’s diagnostic laboratories and biobank. They also took part in engaging activities such as DNA model construction and visited the zebrafish laboratory.

This initiative aligns with the Centre’s broader strategy of implementing and supporting actions that cultivate scientific thinking in youth. These include educational programs, internship opportunities, the Centre’s “Science Lab” program, the initiative titled “Investing in the New Generation, Investing in a Healthier Cyprus,” and collaborations with the Girls in Steam Academy, the SCYence Fair, and the “Researchers’ Night.”

Interested educators and school administrators can visit www.biobank.cy or contact [email protected] and 77771838 for more information.

The biobank.cy Centre of Excellence for Biobanking and Biomedical Research at the University of Cyprus aspires to generate new knowledge to improve human health and contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of diseases.

With a state-of-the-art biomedical research infrastructure, the Centre’s Biobank—like other biobanks worldwide—constitutes an organized collection of medical records and information paired with biological material from volunteers, such as DNA. The data and samples archived are studied by specialized scientific teams to identify unique DNA traits associated with various genetic conditions, whether rare or common. These findings are then used to support precision medicine research.

All Cypriot citizens—regardless of age, gender, religion, language, nationality, or community—are welcome to participate.

The Centre operates with approval from the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee, and all its functions are strictly aligned with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It also has a dedicated team of experts ensuring the highest standards in data and sample integrity for research purposes.

The Centre is funded by the European Commission, the Republic of Cyprus, and the University of Cyprus under the EU’s Horizon 2020 program. External partners involved in the implementation of biobank.cy include BBMRI-ERIC, a leading pan-European biobanking consortium, and the Medical University of Graz, home to one of the largest and most advanced biobanks in Europe.