
Course in Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections
The Course in Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections Prepares you to set up, manage and maintain marine biobanks and culture collections, the infrastructure that preserves microorganisms, microalgae, tissues and DNA for research
Prior Knowledge Assessment
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What is the Course in Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections?
The Course in Marine Biobanks and Culture Collections
Prepares you to set up, manage and maintain marine biobanks and culture collections, the infrastructure that preserves microorganisms, microalgae, tissues and DNA for research and industry. You will learn maintenance and cryopreservation techniques, identity and purity checks, quality management systems, data and metadata management, biosafety, and the legal requirements governing the access and distribution of biological material between research centres and companies in different countries.
Key advantages
- Key infrastructure: Collections underpin marine biotechnology and research.
- Preservation techniques: Subculture, freeze-drying and cryopreservation.
- Quality and standards: Quality management systems for biobanks.
- Data and traceability: Metadata, catalogues and databases.
- Case study: A management plan for a marine collection.
Programme highlights
- Preserve biological material: Apply long-term preservation techniques.
- Guarantee quality: Implement identity and purity checks.
- Manage data: Organise metadata and catalogues.
- Stay compliant: Apply the rules on access and distribution.
- Boost your career: Open doors to culture collections, research centres and biotech companies.
- Train to safeguard the marine biodiversity that will make future innovation possible.
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
Marine Biobanks and Collections
- Types of biobanks and collections
- Marine microorganism collections
- Microalgae collections
- Tissue and DNA banks
- International collection networks
Maintenance and Preservation Techniques
- Periodic subculture
- Freeze-drying
- Cryopreservation of bacteria and fungi
- Cryopreservation of microalgae
- Preserving tissues and DNA
Quality and Biosafety
- Identity verification
- Purity and viability checks
- The ISO 20387 biobanking standard
- Biosafety and containment levels
- Risk management
Data, Catalogues and Services
- Metadata and standards
- Collection databases
- Online catalogues
- User services
- Usage and impact indicators
Legal Framework and Collection Management
- Access and benefit-sharing
- Material transfer agreements
- Patent deposits and the Budapest Treaty
- Funding and sustainability
- Case study: management plan for a marine collection
Study Time and Workload
300 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Laboratory technicians: who maintain strains and cultures Graduates in biology, microbiology or biotechnology: who want to specialise in collections Biobank and collection managers: looking to update their procedures Researchers: who build collections in their projects Biotech company staff: who manage strain banks
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.








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Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand the role of biobanks
- 02Apply preservation techniques
- 03Control quality
- 04Manage data
- 05Apply the regulations
- 06Plan a collection
Career Opportunities
Entry Requirements
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry profile: A background in biology, microbiology, biotechnology, marine science or a related field, or professional laboratory experience. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Frequently Asked Questions
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