BIOBANKING AND RESEARCH: DIGITAL TOOLS

Aim: biobanks are not-for-profit services for the collection, processing, storage and distribution of biological samples and data for research and diagnostic purposes. Aim of this update is to illustrate the available digital resources and how to use them in research in the dental field. Methods: a literature research was conducted in PubMed up to March 2021; a search was also performed on official websites of some biobanks and specific search engines. Most recent evidence and developments in the digital biobanks were summarized. Results: Dental biological materials and data are stored in biobanks and can be used for large-scale studies. Biobanks search engines such as BBMRI are useful tools which redirect to the official biobanks websites where catalogues can often be found, along with instructions to request a biosample from them. Although biobanks in the dental field are available and studies have already been conducted using their resources (i.e. MoBa), a systematic approach to this asset seems to be lacking. Conclusions: biobanking in dentistry represents an efficient tool for effectively advancing research and clinical translation on oral and systemic disorders. It should also help to generate therapeutic benefits and be a fundamental step towards personalized medicine.