Biorepository Scoping

Tender description

At present a requirement exists for a desk study that examines the issues and requirements that would arise from a decision to establish a National Marine Bio Repository (NMBR) in Ireland. The key deliverable from the desk study will be a report as detailed in section 4, “Service Specification”. The establishment of such a facility, which would receive, process, preserve and curate samples from biological sources with potential bioactive properties is being considered by the Marine Institute. The facility, if established, would be supported by appropriate data management systems to ensure that data relating to the identification, maintenance and development of species, samples, processing and the distribution of materials are maintained to standards consistent with use by industry, academia and other interested parties in the future. A key function of the repository will be to ensure data and materials are available to the research community and industry, and to enable Irish participation in international “bio banking” initiatives. Fundamental to these activities will be the need to detail the legal parameters by which the repository could be managed to ensure the protection of intellectual property rights, while also enabling Irish research and development in the area of marine bio discovery. Full details are available in the attached Invitation to Tender document.