Organizational Structure 

The organizational structure of biobank.cy is designed to ensure effective management and oversight, comprising several key components: 

• Director General and Academic Council: The Director General and the Academic Council are responsible for the primary management of the Centre. 

• Council of the Centre of Excellence: An independent council with external members that provides advisory support. The Director General participates as an observer in this council. 

• International Scientific Advisory Board: This board offers additional advisory services to the Centre. 

• Bioethics Committees: Two independent committees—one internal and one external—address bioethical considerations. 

• Stakeholder’s Forum: A broader forum that engages various stakeholders in the Centre’s activities. 

The Centre’s management focuses on several key activities, including research project management, continuous quality improvement, communication, business development, financial management, human resources, information systems, and addressing bioethics issues with broader legal and social implications. 

Support for infrastructure management, as well as technical, financial, and research services, is provided by the central Administrative Services of the University of Cyprus (UCY). 

biobank.cy is committed to protecting personal data and complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679. 

The Centre operates through five main pillars: 

1. Biobank: Functions as a medical research infrastructure, archiving biological material and associated medical data from volunteer Cypriot citizens, irrespective of age, gender, religion, language, ethnicity, or community origin. These samples and data are available to researchers, provided they have secured approval from the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee (CNBC). 
2. Molecular Medicine Research Center (MMRC): Serves as the research arm of the Centre, implementing basic and translational research projects with a focus on precision medicine and diseases with a genetic component. 
3. Diagnostics Laboratory: Offers diagnostic and prognostic genetic testing to patients. 
4. Innovation Hub: Develops modern and innovative molecular or other diagnostic tests and explores new research directions, leveraging the expertise within biobank.cy and research conducted at MMRC. It also fosters collaborations with internal and external entities and research groups. 
5. Education Hub: Provides a diverse range of educational resources, including events, training sessions, tutorials, and practical training on genetics and various subjects. It actively contributes to the international M.Sc. in Biobanking offered by the Medical University of Graz. The Hub also organizes seminars accredited for continuing medical education (CME) and supports scholarships for PhD dissertations in a broad field of biomedical research. 

This structured approach ensures that biobank.cy operates efficiently while maintaining the highest standards in research, ethics, and education.