RespirERA’s biobank and liquid biopsy research presented at the PONS symposium

On November 12, 2026, Prof. Paul Hofman, Director of the RespirERA Institute, spoke at the international PONS symposium in Mannheim, Germany. He presented the institute’s biobank and the research conducted using the liquid biopsy samples stored in its collections.

An international meeting on research and diagnostics

Organized on November 12–13, 2026, by the Institute of Pathology at University Medical Centre Mannheim, the PONS symposium, Pathology: Opportunities for Newcomers in Science, brought together international specialists to discuss developments in research and diagnostic practice. The program covered biobanking, digital technologies, and precision medicine (an approach that considers the biological characteristics of a disease to guide care).

Prof. Paul Hofman spoke during the session dedicated to cell and tissue banking and preparation. His presentation focused on RespirERA’s lung cancer biobank and the connections between research and clinical practice.

The biobank, an essential resource for researchers

A biobank is a facility that prepares, stores, and makes biological samples available for research. It gives scientists access to samples they can analyze to support their work.

During his presentation, Prof. Hofman explained the role of RespirERA’s biobank and introduced research conducted using its collection of liquid biopsy samples. He highlighted the connection between building biological collections and using them to study lung cancer.

Liquid biopsies to study traces of cancer

A liquid biopsy (a laboratory test performed on a body fluid, particularly blood) can identify material released by a tumor, such as DNA fragments. It provides a way to study certain characteristics of cancer using a blood sample. Samples collected over time can also help researchers understand biological changes in a tumor.

The samples stored in the biobank therefore provide research material for scientific teams. At the PONS symposium, Prof. Hofman shared the work conducted using these collections and explained their role in RespirERA’s lung cancer research.