Latvia

The aim of BBMRI.lv is to provide resources for biomedicine research in Latvia and collaborate with institutions abroad, ensuring knowledge circulation, development and setting of new goals, that will encompass international standards, best practices and promote scientific excellence.

Currently, there are four leading biobanking institutions involved in Latvian National Biobank Network — Latvian Biomedical Research and Study centre (National Node/Coordinator), University of Latvia, Riga Stradins University, Riga Children Hospital. BBMRI.lv also maintains close collaboration with other biobanking institutions in the fields of environmental biobanking, aligning with OneHealth initiatives in Latvia. More about BBMRI.lv.

Top 3
Areas of expertise

Biological samples of population-based and disease-specific collections, survey data and information retrieval from health care system. 

Large-scale sequencing (genome, transcriptome, exome, metagenome) and digitalisation of biological samples in national scale “omics” projects.

Activities in ELSI and quality management on national and international level. 

Top 3
Achievements

Development of genomic data storage and processing infrastructure in Latvia for Latvian Genome Reference project under the “European Million Genomes Initiative” (1+MG). This will serve as foundation of future personalised medicine development in Latvia.

Organisation of national-level activities for biobanks and researchers about ELSI, QM and data protection and local level consultations. Promotion of Biobank law for coming in into force in Latvia participation in the working group for development of national regulation for secondary data use for research.

Participation in the development of more than 20 national-level and more than 10 international-level research projects; proposals include areas of diabetes, tumour research, rare disease, microbiome, omics data, ELSI and other.

Achievements linked to calendar year 2025

National Node Director: Dr. Vita Rovite

✉️ Email: vita.rovite@niri.lv

🔗 Web: http://biomed.lu.lv/en/